What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
MoisturisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Triethanolamine, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 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 CarbomerCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl 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 StearateTocopheryl 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
