What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialRhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPhalaenopsis Amabilis Extract
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Colloidal Gold, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isomalt, Lecithin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeYogurt Powder
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsoamyl Cocoate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHeptapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater, Inulin, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Propanediol, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Yogurt Powder, Sodium Caproyl Prolinate, Carbomer, Isoamyl Cocoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Citric Acid, Heptapeptide-7, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as oat kernel oil. It's an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is great for barrier support, hydrating skin, and calming irritation.
The fatty acid profile is dominated by linoleic acid (~22.8-43.1%), oleic acid (~31.4-51.3%), and palmitic acid (~13.9-18.8%).
Plus, it contains ceramides, phytosterols, phospholipids, vitamin E, and avenanthramides (oat's signature anti-inflammatory polyphenols).
One study found an oat lipid extract applied to human skin cells switched on receptors that tell skin cells to mature properly and make more barrier lipids (including a 70% boost in ceramides).
Basically, oat kernel oil doesn't just sit on top of skin, it nudges your skin to build more its of its own barrier.
Typical usage levels range from 1-10%.
Note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the fatty acids present.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel OilCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum