What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trehalose
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentResveratrol
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Polyester-8, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Butylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Resveratrol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Creatine, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Adenosine Phosphate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Plankton Extract, Isohexadecane, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Algae Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Ergothioneine, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, PEG-8 Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Polyethylene, Yeast Extract, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Sodium Rna, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin, Sea Whip Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Phytic Acid, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Propionate
EmollientEthyl Linoleate
Emollient
Ethyl Linolenate
Emollient
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbic Acid
Preservative
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Cocoglycerides, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Mannitol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arachidyl Propionate, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Linolenate, Ethyl Oleate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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
