What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Polysilicone-11
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingLinoleic Acid
CleansingLactose
HumectantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysilicone-11, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide Ns, Punica Granatum Sterols, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Linoleic Acid, Lactose, Milk Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laureth-7, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlanine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMaris Aqua
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Urea, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Alanine, Glycine, Magnesium Aspartate, Creatine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Maris Aqua
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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