What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientMethylheptylglycerin
HumectantRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingHoney
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Sphingolipids
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polygamma-Glutamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveMalic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Methylheptylglycerin, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Carnosine, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Bisabolol, Honey, Phospholipids, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Hyaluronic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Superoxide Dismutase, Lecithin, Pullulan, Sphingolipids, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Astaxanthin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Polygamma-Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Polysorbate 20, Silica, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTriethanolamine
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Plankton Extract, Ceramide Ng, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Triethanolamine, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASphingolipids are a major class of lipids in cell membranes. This ingredient has emollient, skin conditioning, and skin protecting properties.
Certain ceramides are considered sphingolipids (Ceramide NS and Ceramid AP), but not all sphingolipids are ceramides.
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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum