What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Centaurium Erythraea Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Chloride
AstringentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centaurium Erythraea Extract, Algae Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Glycine Soja Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Biotin, Ergothioneine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Soy Amino Acids, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactis Proteinum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Myristyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tribehenin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Dimethicone, Mica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylparaben, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Simethicone, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose 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 HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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
