What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Masking
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dimethylheptenal
Perfuming
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Hexenyl Acetate
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIonone
Astringent
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vanillin
Masking
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Triethyl Citrate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Dimethylheptenal, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gamma-Nonalactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hexenyl Acetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ionone, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vanillin, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
Emollient
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Isododecane
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Amodimethicone, Isododecane, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Cocos Nucifera Water, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Laureth-9, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Arginine, Alanine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Aspartic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, C11-15 Pareth-7, Polysilicone-15, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium PCA, PCA, Diisostearyl Malate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lactate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-15, Acetic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
