What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolyester-5
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Polyether-1
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xyloglucan
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, 2,3-Butanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Polyester-5, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Polyether-1, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceramide NP, Xyloglucan
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolyether-1
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 2,3-Butanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Methylpropanediol, Polyether-1, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Panthenol
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
2,3-Butanediol is a naturally occurring humectant and solvent. It's created from fermentation and can be found in foods like cocoa butter and sweet corn.
This ingredient attracts and holds onto moisture to boost hydration in skin. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient improves the spreadability of ingredients like vitamin C.
Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis ingredient is created by fermenting the lactobacillus bacteria with rice.
Lactobacillus is a great ingredient at keeping skin barrier healthy and rice ferment has great anti-aging benefits.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate is a lightweight synthetic emollient that also helps improve how a product feels and spreads.
In a formula, it's a workhorse that:
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and found to be a non-ocular (eye) irritant at 100% in rabbits.
Usage levels vary depending on product type; industry surveys report it around 2.2% in baby products, 19.5% in hair sprays, and 1-20% in skincare.
Learn more about Neopentyl Glycol DiheptanoatePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate is a synthetic polymer. It's a long chain built from acrylic acid units and each unit carries a fatty "tail" derived form a C10-30 alcohol.
Those oil-loving tails allow this ingredient to thicken oil phases, hold emulsions together, and cuts the tacky/greasy feel of heavy formulas.
Typical use levels sit around 0.1-3%, with 0.3-3% more common in leave-on emulsions.
This ingredient was reviewed as part of a group of 126 acrylates and concluded to be safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel.
Though acrylate contact allergy is real and well-documented, allergy risk is quite low. The cases of documented contact allergy are caused by unreacted monomers (more commonly found in gel nails, dental resins, and adhesives).
Learn more about Poly C10-30 Alkyl AcrylatePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6We don't have a description for Polyether-1 yet.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
