What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Olus Oil
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCera Alba
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Daphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Olus Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-8, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, C12-16 Alcohols, Cera Alba, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Palmitic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Aluminum Hydroxide, Retinol, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Arginine
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Starch, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Bisabolol, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Arginine, Linalool, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Caramel, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Potassium Sorbate, Proline, Limonene, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Potassium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HydroxideSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATocopherol 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 Water
