What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Silicon IconGood for Oily Skin Icon

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Homosalate

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ozokerite

Emulsion Stabilising

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Bisabolol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Dehydroacetic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconFragrance Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sea Water

Humectant

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water

Skin Conditioning
May cause irritation Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Oil IconCoconut Derived IconFragrance IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Capryloyl Glycine

Cleansing

Sodium Palmitoyl Proline

Skin Conditioning

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sarcosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Epilobium Fleischeri Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract

Antimicrobial
Fragrance IconAntioxidant Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Extract

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Camellia Japonica Flower Extract

Emollient

Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Masking

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning
Good for Barrier Repair Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract

Masking
May worsen Eczema Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Oxygen

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ozokerite, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bisabolol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sea Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sarcosine, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oxygen, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Reviews

5.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Works Well 100%
2.81
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Great Value 32% Light 28% Drying 28%

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.

It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.

A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.

In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.

You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.

Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.

Learn more about Bisabolol
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin 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 Ethylhexylglycerin
Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Hexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.

It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.

As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.

Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.

This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.

A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.

Learn more about Hexylene Glycol
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Similar Comparisons