What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantSodium PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate, Glycerin, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Petrolatum, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metaphosphate, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium PCA, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer 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 CarbomerPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearateWater. 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
