What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingEscin
TonicChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHectorite
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
PreservativeTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTazarotene
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Water, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Urea, Diisopropyl Adipate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-100 Stearate, Dibutyl Adipate, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Stearate, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Escin, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Hectorite, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Sulfite, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tazarotene, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSteareth-21
CleansingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTazarotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, Steareth-21, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tazarotene, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Sulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trideceth-6
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for PPG-15 Stearyl Ether yet.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sodium Sulfite is a preservative. Preservatives help prevent mold and bacteria from growing in cosmetics.
This ingredient has been shown to break the bonds in hair, acting as a natural straightener.
It is commonly used in food. It should be noted sodium sulfite degrades both vitamins B1 and E.
Fun fact: Sulfites are naturally occuring in wine.
Learn more about Sodium SulfiteTazarotene is a type of retinoid. Retinoids are gold-standard anti-aging ingredients derived from Vitamin A.
Like Tretinoin, Tazarotene is only available by prescription in many countries.
Retinoids help with:
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Read about a form of retinoid you can purchase at the store, retinol.
Learn more about TazaroteneWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 yet.
Water. 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