What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Panthenol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, CI 17200, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantLysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Limonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Disodium Phosphate, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycine, Hydroxyproline, Isoleucine, Cysteine, Lysine, Glutamine, Sodium Phytate, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77480
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePanthenol 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSaccharide 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 IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 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