What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPseudozyma Epicola/Nitrosomonas Europaea/Oil Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningEnterococcus Faecium/Saururus Chinensis Extract Ferment Filtrate
EmollientAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Pseudozyma Epicola/Nitrosomonas Europaea/Oil Ferment Filtrate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Enterococcus Faecium/Saururus Chinensis Extract Ferment Filtrate, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyacrylamide
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeBoron Nitride
AbsorbentC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylparaben
PreservativeHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
Calcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Polyacrylamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Boron Nitride, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Methylparaben, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Hydroxide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl 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. 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