What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAvena Sativa Protein Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mea, Parfum, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aspergillus Ferment, Arginine, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Silk Amino Acids, Ethyl Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSophora Flavescens Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Propanediol, Adenosine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Caffeic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractWater. 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