What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyimide-1
Galactoarabinan
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningTilia Tomentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Vp/Va Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyimide-1, Galactoarabinan, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Panthenol, Tilia Tomentosa Extract, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin ConditioningPolybutene
Cera Alba
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Aminomethyl Propanediol
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlgin
MaskingSerine
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffin, Polybutene, Cera Alba, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Aminomethyl Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Serine, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, CI 77499
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
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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