What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Avena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltose
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ferric Hexapeptide-35
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, C15-19 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-100 Stearate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Laureth-7, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Disodium EDTA, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Limonene, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Linoleic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Pentylene Glycol, Citronellol, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Geraniol, Citral, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lecithin, Allantoin, Maltose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Potassium Sorbate, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferric Hexapeptide-35
Water
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-22
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyquaternium-11
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Limonene
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Coumarin
Perfuming
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Amodimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-22, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-11, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Limonene, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Coumarin, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Citral, Eugenol, Cinnamal, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 LimoneneParfum 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
