What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientInositol
HumectantHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCanola Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Inositol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Canola Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysilicone-11
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Glucose
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glucose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Decyl Glucoside, Hexylene Glycol, Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAmmonium 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 CopolymerAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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