What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIsochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingDextran
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantQuaternium-51
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingParfum
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Keratin, Methyl Nicotinate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Tocopherol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Dextran, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Quaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Zinc Chloride, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about 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 AcidHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilTocopherol 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 Water