What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Perlite
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Cellulose, Cetyl Dimethicone, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Perlite, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sarcosine, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Glucose
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glucose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Decyl Glucoside, Hexylene Glycol, Morus Alba Leaf Extract
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 and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
