What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientChrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Rhizome Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOxidized Keratin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Glutamic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Lactobacillus, Acorus Calamus Rhizome Water, PEG-10, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Keratin, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oxidized Keratin, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Amodimethicone
Lactic Acid
BufferingMaltitol
HumectantParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTripeptide-13
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantThreonine
Leucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSoluble Collagen
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHistidine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientValine
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCystine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopentyldiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sorbitol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Amodimethicone, Lactic Acid, Maltitol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-10, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Biotin, Tripeptide-13, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Sodium Metaphosphate, Avena Sativa Peptide, Arginine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Leucine, Proline, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Glycine, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenylalanine, Alanine, Tyrosine, Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Histidine, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Valine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Methionine, Cystine, Tryptophan, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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