What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCholesterol
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Mannitol, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Palmitic Acid, Silica, Zinc Chloride, Cholesterol, Beta-Glucan, Sphingolipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Myristic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantArbutin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Marrow Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Prunella Vulgaris Extract
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Arbutin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Fructan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Marrow Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alcohol Denat., Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Glutathione, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinWater. 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
