What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tropaeolum Majus Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
C20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Asiatic Acid, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Inulin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Azelaic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Hyaluronic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Gluconolactone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, C20-22 Alcohols, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Dioleate, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Salicylate, Sorbitan Oleate, Trideceth-6, Triolein, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Mica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Peat Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentSilver Carboxymethylalaninate
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBentonite
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Phytate
Parfum
Masking
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Methylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
CI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Peat Extract, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Silver Carboxymethylalaninate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Phytate, Parfum, Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, CI 75810
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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
