What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Nylon-12
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Trimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emollient
Castor Isostearate Succinate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Caprylyl Methicone, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, 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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
