What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCandelilla Cera
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Limonene
PerfumingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Myristyl Myristate, Squalane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Bakuchiol, Candelilla Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Limonene, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberLinalool
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeUbiquinone
AntioxidantCarrageenan
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Laureth-7, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Linalool, Glycine Soja Oil, Lecithin, Alcohol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Ubiquinone, Carrageenan, CI 14700, CI 15985, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum