What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Stearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Silica
AbrasiveAcrylates Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPantethine
EmollientMelanin
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingSimethicone
EmollientDimethicone PEG-8 Polyacrylate
Urea
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lauroyl Lysine, Pantethine, Melanin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Pvp, Acacia Senegal Gum, Isostearic Acid, Simethicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Polyacrylate, Urea, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77400, CI 42090, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 75470, CI 77163, CI 77007, CI 77000
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParaffin
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingCera Alba
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentNylon-6/12
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNylon-6
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Cellulose
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingLaureth-30
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPantolactone
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Pvp, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Arginine, Cera Alba, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Lauroyl Lysine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Nylon-6/12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Nylon-6, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Laureth-30, C11-15 Pareth-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Propylene Carbonate, Pantolactone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysinePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSilica, 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 SilicaThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWe don't have a description for Vp/Eicosene Copolymer yet.
Water. 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