What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Cholesterol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Betaine, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Oil
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol 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 AcidTocopherol 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