What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantVp/Va Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingHexanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLaurylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantArginine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCystine
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Vp/Va Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Laureth-7, Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Laurylpyridinium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Silk, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Silk Amino Acids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Serine, Tripeptide-1, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Histidine, Arginine, Threonine, Proline, Cysteine, Methionine, Lysine, Isoleucine, Tyrosine, Ornithine, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cystine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Lauryl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSea Salt
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPearl Extract
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientChitosan
Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantElastin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Gelatin
Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
SurfactantSoluble Collagen
HumectantZinc Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Myristyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauryl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sea Salt, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Pearl Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chitosan, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Elastin, Caprylyl Glycol, Keratin, Collagen Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Stellaria Media Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Gelatin, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Zinc Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Collagen is Collagen (usually sourced from fish, bovine, or porcine byproducts) that's been broken down into smaller peptides. This makes it water-soluble and easy to blend into formulations.
In a formula, it works mainly as a skin-conditioning and moisturizing agent.
The small peptides and amino acids (including Natural Moisturizing Factor components like Hydroxyproline, Serine, and Aspartic Acid) help the surface of the skin hold onto water, feel softer, and look temporarily plumper.
This ingredient also has mild film-forming and antioxidant properties with research showing the antioxidant effect is stronger the lower the molecular weight of the peptides.
It's worth being realistic here:
Topically applied Hydrolyzed Collagen conditions the upper layers of skin rather than rebuilding the structural collagen deep in your dermis (the wrinkle-and-firmness benefits people associate with Collagen mostly come from oral supplements in studies, not topicals).
However, recent lab and skin-model work on Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen has shown promising effects on cell viability and wound healing when used as an active.
Typical concentrations range from 0.2-2%, but the percentage can go much higher in rinse-off or hair products (sometimes even above 50%).
Clinical studies on this ingredient showed no irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity.
If you are looking for vegan collagen, it usually goes by a different INCI name like hydrolyzed soy protein. Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinYou can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkHydrolyzed Soy Protein is a water-soluble blend of peptides and amino acids made by breaking down the protein from soybeans into smaller proteins.
It's the most widely used hydrolyzed vegetable protein in cosmetics and it acts mainly as a skin and hair conditioning agent.
The smaller fragments are water-loving so it forms a thin, moisture-retentive film on skin that helps reduce water loss and leaves things feeling softer and smoother.
You'll often see it credited with "firming" or "anti-aging" benefits as well; this claim traces back to lab research like Tokudome et al. (2012). This study added low-molecular-weight soybean peptides to cultured human skin fibroblasts and saw increased type I collagen gene expression + collagen content.
The caveat is that this is in-vitro and oral-peptide research so the only solid, well-established role for the topical ingredient is skin conditioning.
Typical use concentrations go up to 3.5% in mascara but this ingredient is typically used at low levels well under 1%.
It has a reassuring safety profile as well; it's not a skin irritant in testing up to 20% and has limited skin penetration due to its large size and water-loving nature.
Anyone with a known soy allergy should definitely patch test or skip this ingredient. There's also a single case of a soy-containing product aggravating rosacea via protein contact dermatitis, but this is very rare.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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