What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyester-7, Phenoxyethanol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Steareth-21, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, PEG-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDimethiconol
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingMica
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeSodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
PreservativePEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningMethylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacrylate
StabilisingMethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Panthenol, Nylon-12, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Methylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Mica, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Ethylparaben, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Decyl Glucoside, Medicago Sativa Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polyquaternium-7, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Methicone, Tocopherol, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, BHT, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, CI 77492
Reviews
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 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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Disodium 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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