What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPeucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantEschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningZingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantBatyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIron Oxides
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Squalane, Trehalose, Peucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract, Eschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citrus Unshiu Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Potassium Hydroxide, Isostearic Acid, Carbomer, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Beheneth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Batyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metaphosphate, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientDipeptide-15
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMorinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Dimethicone
Betaine
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantIsostearic Acid
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingPEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenic Acid
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethylhexanoin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Dipeptide-15, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Trehalose, Tocopherol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Acer Saccharum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Gluconolactone, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Betaine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Isostearic Acid, Coconut Acid, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Behenic Acid, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum