What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Palmitate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-21
CleansingSodium Lactate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Bakuchiol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Cholesterol, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sorbitan Palmitate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-21, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCalanthe Discolor Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Superoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantChrysin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Steareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Formate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Bakuchiol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Calanthe Discolor Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Biotin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Pullulan, Superoxide Dismutase, Chrysin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Gluconolactone, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Steareth-20, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Glycolate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Formate, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 77007, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has antimicrobial, emollient, skin conditioning, and antioxidant properties.
You'll likely see it called a "retinol replacement" but the two are technically not related. This is because bakuchiol is able to flip many of the same switches in your skin cells to tell them to:
1) produce more collagen (type I, III, and IV)
2) activate the same genes retinoids do
Unlike retinoids, this ingredient will not increase photosensitivity and is safe to use during pregnancy (but please still check in with your doctor!).
The flagship clinical trial from Dhaliwal et al. 2019 found 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) and 0.5% retinol (once daily) reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation equally, but bakuchiol had significantly less irritation.
Systematic reviews also back this up:
Bakuchiol is comparable to retinol for photoaging but with better tolerability. It also has mild antibacterial properties against Cutibacterium acnes and antifungal activity in vitro against Candida and dermatophytes.
The reason bakuchiol works well is due to its structure; it is a meroterpene phenol, or a hybrid molecule. The phenol half acts as an antioxidant while the terpene half is fat-loving. This helps the molecule slip through the skin barrier.
This ingredient is usually used between 0.5-2%. Only one case of contact dermatitis has ever been reported for this ingredient.
Learn more about BakuchiolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Itβs commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Panthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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