What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Isohexadecane
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
PEG-100 Stearate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Nylon-12
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Sibiricum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xylose
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCuscuta Australis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ledebouriella Divaricata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Oyster Shell Extract
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingViscum Album Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
Humectant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Brassica Napus Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientPotassium Chloride
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Pyruvate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Ursolic Acid
MaskingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinic Acid
Antioxidant
Cedrol
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Panthenol, PCA Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Trehalose, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Stearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Serine, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Stearic Acid, Isohexadecane, Lactobacillus Ferment, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cholesterol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonatum Sibiricum Rhizome Extract, Tocopherol, Xylose, Sodium Chloride, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract, Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Cuscuta Australis Seed Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ledebouriella Divaricata Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Oyster Shell Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Viscum Album Extract, CI 77480, Glucose, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Brassica Napus Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Potassium Chloride, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Pyruvate, Calcium Chloride, Saccharomyces Lysate, Quercetin, Beta-Sitosterol, Ursolic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Cedrol, Trisodium EDTA, Tromethamine, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77491, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Mannose
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Propanediol, Cetyl Esters, Jojoba Esters, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Behenyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Ceramide NP, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Adenosine, Mannose, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Acetic Acid, Maltodextrin, Faex Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersLimonene 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 LinaloolOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Parfum 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
