What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPEG-32
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Agar
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingRose Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, PEG-32, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-9, Diazolidinyl Urea, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Agar, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Rose Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Octyldodecanol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDeceth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRose Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyacrylamide, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Deceth-7, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Chlorphenesin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Laureth-7, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, CI 42090, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 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 OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Rose extract comes from various species of the Rosa genus. It has skin conditioning and antioxidant properties due to its polyphenol, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content.
Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa gallica.
Just keep in mind that rose extracts contain known fragrance allergens like citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and limonene.
Learn more about Rose ExtractSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateTocopherol 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