Water. 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

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).

Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.

Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.

In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.

Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol

Cholesterol

Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

Tromethamine

Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying

Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.

As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.

Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.

Learn more about Sorbitan Isostearate

Tocopherol

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream

When to use

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream 39 ingredients

AXIS - Y Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream 48 ingredients

562 Routines

38% use in am

62% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

77 Routines

49% use in am

51% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream 39 ingredients

4.4 /5

from 10 ratings

Hydrating (7) Absorbs Well (6) Works Well (6)

michael88

5 months ago

Review

I started using this moisturizer while i was on accutane and it worked really well. I initially thought it only worked well because my skin was dry from accutane but even after completing the treatment it still works really well for me. For reference I have combo sensitive skin. Some people mentioned they dont like the reformulation but honestly I don't notice any difference. I've tried other Show more

#expensive

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#works well

Aestura

Atobarrier 365 Cream

Brianna Sethman

5 months ago

Review

I went back and forth on this purchase SO many times, like literally kept cancelling my Amazon order, then reordering lol. I was desperately trying to heal my skin barrier, and kept seeing this recommended, but also complaints about the new formulation. I can’t compare to the old, but I did like this product for what it is. Rich and moisturizing, great for overnight, did feel like it protected my Show more

#expensive

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#no scent

Aestura

Atobarrier 365 Cream

AXIS - Y Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream 48 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 4 ratings

Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) No Scent (2)

Remi Shen

2 months ago

Review

I've used this cream during the transition months for awhile. I've gone through a few tubes and always make sure I have one on hand. It's really lightweight and sinks in really nicely. My skin usually needs thicker creams even in warmer weather but this cream is one of my favourites that are thinner. The panthenol also helps to settle and soothe my sensitive skin which I enjoy. 10/10!

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

#no scent

AXIS - Y

Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream

teddie :3

12 days ago

Review

picked this up on a whim and it is absolutely AMAZING. within the first couple uses, i noticed my skin looked so much more hydrated, bright and even. i thought i wouldn’t enjoy the thinner texture as im used to heavier creams, but it is so emollient and moisturising without being too heavy - it’s quite literally the perfect texture. my boyfriend who hates putting on moisturiser went out and bought Show more

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#no scent

#works well

AXIS - Y

Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream