What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
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 ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Squalane
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Polyacrylate-13, Squalane, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Collagen Amino Acids, Polysorbate 20, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
