What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeOleyl Oleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Honey
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate
HumectantC9-11 Alkyl Glucoside
CleansingOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCreatine
Skin ConditioningPEG-5 Soy Sterol
EmulsifyingPorphyridium Polysaccharide
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide
CleansingQuaternium-18
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTea-Sorbate
AntimicrobialAmmonium Ferric Pentetate
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAmodimethicone
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Oleyl Oleate, Glycerin, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Honey, Honey Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Keratin, Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate, C9-11 Alkyl Glucoside, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Gamma-Docosalactone, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Creatine, PEG-5 Soy Sterol, Porphyridium Polysaccharide, Hydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Quaternium-18, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caramel, Tea-Sorbate, Ammonium Ferric Pentetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCreatine
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Glycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPalmitoyl Myristyl Serinate
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Betaine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium PCA, Decylene Glycol, Arginine, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Chloride, Creatine, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, PEG-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Panthenol, Phytic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Serine, Valine, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Proline, Isoleucine, Threonine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Creatine yet.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 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.
Sodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water