What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Olus Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPanthenyl Triacetate
Dimethicone
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPorphyridium Cruentum Culture Conditioned Media
AntioxidantNaringenin
Skin ConditioningTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Fagopyrum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Heptyl Undecylenate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Olus Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Culture Conditioned Media, Naringenin, Troxerutin, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOlus Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingPanthenyl Triacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientNaringenin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitric Acid
BufferingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Heptyl Undecylenate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Olus Oil, Dimethicone, Pvp, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Panthenyl Triacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Naringenin, Glycine Soja Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCetearyl 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 AlcoholWe don't have a description for Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract yet.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeWe don't have a description for Heptyl Undecylenate yet.
We don't have a description for Naringenin yet.
Olus oil is a blend of triglycerides derived from vegetable oils. Triglycerides are a type of fat that circulate in your blood. The majority of Olus Oil comes from rapeseed oil.
It has emollient properties and keeps your skin hydrated by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
Olus oil is also used to give product a nice, smooth texture.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Olus OilPanthenol 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 PanthenolWe don't have a description for Panthenyl Triacetate yet.
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 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 Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum