What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPinus Palustris Oil
MaskingApigenin
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Gluconolactone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Pinus Palustris Oil, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMenthol
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitronellol
PerfumingPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeAlcohol Denat., Water, Caffeine, Panthenol, Parfum, Menthol, Lauric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Biotin, Citronellol, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolLimonene 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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