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 ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLaureth-21
CleansingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMethylglucamine
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningNeofinetia Falcata Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientIron Oxides
Water, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Laureth-21, Pvp, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylglucamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Panthenol, Neofinetia Falcata Callus Culture Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PvpThis 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic 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