What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCeteareth-20
CleansingPanthenyl Triacetate
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Rheum Rhaponticum Root Extract
BleachingHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ceteareth-20, Panthenyl Triacetate, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Acetyl Rheum Rhaponticum Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Arginine, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Azelaic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Proline, Magnolol, Honokiol, Sodium Phytate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Capryloyl Glycine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid yet.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
