What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXylitol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientParfum
MaskingMagnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantDecapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-78
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Decapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningZinc Palmitoyl Nonapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningRosmarinyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaffeyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyurethane-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Xylitylglucoside, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Parfum, Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Glucose, Decapeptide-21, Oligopeptide-78, Palmitoyl Decapeptide-21, Zinc Palmitoyl Nonapeptide-14, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Beta-Carotene, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyurethane-10, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Citronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMannitol
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingDiatomaceous Earth
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningWater, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lauryl Laurate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Starch, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Chlorphenesin, Sesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Citronellol, Linalool, Collagen Amino Acids, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Mannitol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Geraniol, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Diatomaceous Earth, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Sulfate, Hexapeptide-9
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 ParfumJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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