What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glycerin, Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneWater. 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
