What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientTapioca Starch
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Tapioca Starch, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Stearate, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Steareth-21
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlgin
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Serine
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Steareth-21, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Algin, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Serine, Caramel, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Reviews
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 CrosspolymerAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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