What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 40
Emulsifying
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Tea-Stearate
CleansingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 40, CI 77220, PEG-2 Stearate, Tea-Stearate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tapioca Starch, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sorbic Acid
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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 AcetateVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed OilWater. 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
