What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantPentadecalactone
MaskingStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCentipeda Cunninghamii Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
HumectantRubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPerilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBHT
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Silica, Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 60, Isononyl Isononanoate, Maltodextrin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Parfum, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-8, Pentadecalactone, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Carbomer, Zinc PCA, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ceramide NP, Beta-Sitosterol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 42090, Biotin, BHT, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water