What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Arachidonate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Orchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Mannitol
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
EmollientHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Niacinamide, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Mannitol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Silica, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Acorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Carbomer, Allantoin, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Squalene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Phytosterols, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Mineral Salts, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifier whose only job is to keep the oily and watery parts of a formula blended so it doesn't separate into layers.
It's compatible with a wide-range of active ingredients and especially good at making emulsions survive heat/freeze cycles.
Typical use concentrations range from 2-3% and it works across a pH of 4.5-8.5.
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics and has a low irritation profile.
Because it's build on stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that falls within the range (C11-24) that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
