What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Coumarin
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Polyacrylic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Caramel, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Coumarin, Benzoic Acid, Limonene, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tocopherol, CI 15985, CI 14700, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glycine Max Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Soybean Glycerides
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycine Max Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Soybean Glycerides, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Myristyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glucose, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
