What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantLauramine Oxide
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Glycol Stearate
EmollientCocamide
EmulsifyingDiethanolamine
BufferingImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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