What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Methylparaben
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Methylparaben, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Sodium Benzoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Citric Acid, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
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