What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientOleyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingZanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Squalane, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Propanediol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethiconol, Oleyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Maltodextrin, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRhamnose
HumectantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlumina
AbrasiveMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentFructooligosaccharides
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Octocrylene, CI 77891, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Canola Oil, Silica, CI 77492, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77491, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Mannitol, Pvp, Xanthan Gum, Xylitol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Allantoin, Rhamnose, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alumina, Magnesium Oxide, Fructooligosaccharides, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
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
This 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 ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHydrogenated 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 LecithinPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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