What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Retinol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBHT
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBHA
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglutamic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, BHT, Punica Granatum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, BHA, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPandanus Conoideus Fruit Oil
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-20, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bakuchiol, Pandanus Conoideus Fruit Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Reviews
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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