What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Dna
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantChlorella Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRose Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingDimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Cocoglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Sorbitan Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Parfum, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dna, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Ethoxydiglycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Lecithin, Dextrin, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Chlorella Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Phytosterols, Cholesterol, Caviar Extract, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Pearl Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rose Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Ceramide EOP, Pinene, Terpineol, Citronellol, Linalool, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientLinolenic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
CleansingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Panthenol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Beta-Glucan, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Linolenic Acid, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacrylate, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dextrin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-10, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Myristic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Linoleic Acid, Sucrose Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Linalool
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide 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 NPDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated 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 LecithinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneThis ingredient is also known as maca root.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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