What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Isoceteth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lecithin, Retinol, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Xylose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingFructose
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
C12-18 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Sucrose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSphingolipids
Emollient
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Jojoba Esters, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Xylose, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Fructooligosaccharides, C12-14 Pareth-12, Fructose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Anhydroxylitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Squalene, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Gluconolactone, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Micrococcus Lysate, Ceramide NP, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sucrose Palmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sphingolipids, Sucrose Distearate, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Linalool
Reviews
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 NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol 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
