What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBaicalin
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Parfum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Menthol, Behenyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Baicalin, Pentylene Glycol, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Levulinic Acid, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientAlgae Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Teprenone
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Bacillus
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPullulan
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Algin
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Algae Oligosaccharides, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Teprenone, Retinol, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ceramide NP, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Folic Acid, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Bacillus, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phospholipids, Acer Saccharum Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Pullulan, Punica Granatum Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Superoxide Dismutase, Potassium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCetearyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
