What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Filtrate
Skin Protecting
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate-13
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Saccharomyces Lysate Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Dimethiconol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Polysorbate 20, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Vernonia Appendiculata Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Silicate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyamide-5, Squalane, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Glycine, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Starch, Panthenol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Vernonia Appendiculata Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Parfum, Potassium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Silicate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 14700, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
