What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Undecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cera Alba
Emollient
Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Carum Carvi Seed Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTridecane
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Octyldodecanol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Undecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cera Alba, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Proline, Carum Carvi Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Guanidine Hcl
BufferingTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Ormenis Multicaulis Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Urea, Glucose, Guanidine Hcl, Tripeptide-1, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Superoxide Dismutase, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantothenic Acid, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Soy Isoflavones, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Pvp, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, 1,2-Hexanediol
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and surfactant made by reacting cetearyl alcohol with 20 moles of ethylene oxide.
This gives it both oil and water-loving properties that makes it an effect emulsifier; it's really great at pulling oil droplets into water to create a stable, creamy, and easy-to-spread base.
Typical use ranges from 0.5-30%. Most leave-on products are in the 1-10% zone.
The 20 ethylene oxide units is well above the PEG-10 threshold and therefore not a food source for Malassezia (it's fungal acne safe).
This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 2 and an irritancy rating of 3. These numbers come from testing the raw ingredient on rabbit ears and doesn't reflect how it will behave in a finished product.
In practice, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient. The ratings reflect cautious lab conditions and not real-world use. Just be sure to patch test any formulas you feel unsure about.
Learn more about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateWe don't have a description for Soy Isoflavones yet.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
