What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthophylls
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSolanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Silica, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-75 Stearate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Damascena Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, Xanthophylls, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Serine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Methionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Isocetyl Stearate, Ethyl Oleate, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Silica, Myristyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Zinc PCA, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Parfum, Myristyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sucrose Palmitate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Azelaic Acid, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Chloride, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77289, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Tocopherol, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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
