What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHeptyl Glucoside
SurfactantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Sulfone
SolventOrnithine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-48
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLevulinic Acid
PerfumingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHeptanol
PerfumingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Heptyl Glucoside, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polysorbate 20, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Dimethyl Sulfone, Ornithine, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Pentapeptide-18, Pentapeptide-48, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Levulinic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Heptanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-48
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Lactate
BufferingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Pentapeptide-48, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Lactate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ectoin, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis small molecule peptide has similar benefits to Argireline, the "botox" peptide.
According to the manufacturer, this peptide mimics snake venom to freeze muscles. This prevents muscle movement and contractions to prohibit the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
While this seems promising, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.
Learn more about Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide DiacetateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPentapeptide-48 is a peptide.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 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