What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTriethanolamine
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantNylon-12
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Algin
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveDecyl Glucoside
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialIsostearic Acid
CleansingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Triethanolamine, Titanium Dioxide, Sorbitan Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Isostearic Acid, Sucrose Cocoate, PEG-8 Laurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyisobutene
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCetearyl Dimethicone
EmollientMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMelanin
Skin ProtectingErythritol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBarosma Betulina Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHomarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Succinate
BufferingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
AntioxidantMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Polyacrylate-13, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melanin, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Glucose, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Tocopherol, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Homarine Hcl, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Succinate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Plankton Extract, Ergothioneine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. The original comedogenic testing on rabbit ear actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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