What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Polysorbate 60, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Lactate
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientBoswellia Carterii Oil
MaskingCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingArginine
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Stearate
CleansingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Lactate, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Arnica Montana Flower, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Vulgaris Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Aspartic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Panthenol, Beeswax, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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