What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDiglycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Isostearate
CleansingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylcellulose
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Isopentyldiol, C9-12 Alkane, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Jojoba Esters, Isostearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Gluconate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Astrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
Emollient
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Betaine
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Astrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Methylpropanediol, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Bisabolol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Betaine, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrapeptide-30, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, 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.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
