What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Stearic Acid, Betaine, Mannitol, C14-22 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Polyacrylate-13, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica, Phytosphingosine, Sphingolipids, Arachidic Acid, Tocopherol, Oleic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Viridiflora Leaf Oil
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Arbutin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Trehalose, Betaine, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Stearic Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Arginine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Melaleuca Viridiflora Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Eugenol
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 AllantoinArachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
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 AlcoholBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl 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.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateStearic 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
