What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCitrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientErythritol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingArginine
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Alcohol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucose
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Sorbitan Olivate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Erythritol, Dimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Arginine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Zea Mays Starch, Silica, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Myristyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lauryl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Maltodextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77492, CI 77491, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNylon-12
Paraffin
PerfumingSilica
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Paraffin, Silica, Kaolin, CI 19140, CI 42090, Glyceryl Stearate, Zinc Gluconate, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Dimethiconol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient that helps make your skin smooth and hydrated. It specializes in creating a non-oily and "wet" feeling on skin.
This ingredient comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water