What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Zea Mays Oil, Panthenol, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Beta-Carotene, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Beta-Carotene is a fat-soluble carotenoid pigment. It is the thing responsible for giving carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, and other orange-yellow produce their color.
It is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals (mainly reactive oxygen species) that come at your skin from both the environment and internal processes.
When applied topically, beta-carotene accumulates in your outermost layer of skin and acts as a first-line defense against photo-oxidative stress.
Research has established that carotenoids like beta-carotene boosts your skin's innate resistance against UVB induced erythema. Please know this does not mean beta-carotene can replace your sunscreen.
Newer studies show it can also help inhibit molecular markers of oxidative stress like MMP-1 and MMP-9, enzymes that break down collagen.
In some cases, it can be used as a cosmetic colorant as well (INCI name: CI 40800).
Beta-carotene pairs well with other antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin C for a synergistic effect.
Learn more about Beta-CaroteneButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
