What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCroton Lechleri Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, CI 77891, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Mica, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Adenosine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tin Oxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArctium Lappa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCreatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningIsobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol
BleachingPantolactone
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTapioca Starch
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Pantolactone, Tocopherol, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Trisodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum