What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingMethicone
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glutathione
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingZinc PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDecapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Magnesium Stearate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Methicone, Tribehenin, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glutathione, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Zinc PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Butylene Glycol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Resveratrol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Oligopeptide-1, Decapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantLactobionic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingTartaric Acid
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCeteareth-25
CleansingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingTranexamic Acid
AstringentOctyldodecanol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ceramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Malic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Gluconolactone, Betaine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Glucoside, Lactobionic Acid, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Ceteareth-25, CI 42090, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide NP, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Carnosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-8, Alpha-Arbutin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Tranexamic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Nonapeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, CI 16035, CI 77266
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 GlycolCamellia Japonica Flower Extract comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Tsubaki flowers possess antioxidant and soothing properties. This flower has shown to be effective at fighting pollution damage by protecting your skin's fibroblasts. Your skin's fibroblasts help create collagen and collagen is responsible for youthful, plump skin.
This flower also contains many antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. They may originate from sunlight, air pollution, or cigarette smoke. These free-radical molecules are unstable and are often looking for missing electrons. This instability causes free-radicals to damage our cells. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons.
Thus, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
Learn more about Camellia Japonica Flower ExtractCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide AS is formally known as Ceramides 4 and 5.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide 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 NPCeramide NS is formally known as Ceramide 2. It is one of the major ceramides in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) plays a role in forming a protective barrier.
Due to its structure, skin lipids can be packed tightly and in turn, this strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss.
Studies show conditions like atopic dermatitis can worsen when ceramide NS levels are low.
Learn more about Ceramide NsCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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