What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Vanillin, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Pinene, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Oleth-20
CleansingPolyquaternium-6
Linalool
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Carvone
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Lavandula Oil/Extract
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil
Lemongrass Oil
Eugenol
Perfuming
Camphor
Masking
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Parfum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Oleth-20, Polyquaternium-6, Linalool, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Carvone, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Geraniol, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Geranyl Acetate, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Linalyl Acetate, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Benzaldehyde, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Pinene, Citral, Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Eugenol, Camphor, Beta-Caryophyllene, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGeranyl Acetate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.
Glycerin (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 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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateParfum 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.
Pinene is created by distilling the resin of Pinus trees.
It is a known EU allergen. Long term contact with this ingredient can cause dermatitis.
This ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.
The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.
According to the EU, this ingredient is a known allergen and some people may develop skin sensitivity from repeated exposure.
Learn more about Tetramethyl AcetyloctahydronaphthalenesWater. 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
