What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingC12-15 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Salicylic Acid
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantGlycerin, Water, Dimethicone, Myristyl Alcohol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Steartrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexyl Cinnamal, C12-15 Pareth-3, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Salicylic Acid, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Silk, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cysteine, Silk Amino Acids, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Taurine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Glutamine, Lysine, Methionine, Serine, Cystine, Asparagine, Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingC13-15 Alkane
SolventSh-Oligopeptide-78
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingCellulose
AbsorbentC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingAmyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingIsoeugenyl Acetate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingVanillin
MaskingWater, Cellulose Gum, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, C13-15 Alkane, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Lactic Acid, Cellulose, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Parfum, Amyl Salicylate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Isoeugenyl Acetate, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCitronellol 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 CitronellolGeraniol 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 GeraniolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene 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 ParfumSodium 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