What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantHydrated Silica
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Hydrated Silica, Stearic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbic Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Limonene, Caramel, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Oleate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Isethionate
CleansingSodium Laurate
CleansingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Lauric Acid, Sodium Oleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Laurate, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Chloride, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 17200, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrated Silica is a type of silicon dioxide. It is called 'hydrated silica' because it is silica with extra bonded water atoms.
It is an absorbent and abrasive, meaning it is exfoliating.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied.
Learn more about Hydrated SilicaLimonene 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 ParfumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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