What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Isohexadecane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Algae Extract
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Medicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glucosamine Hcl
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Silanetriol
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-23
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Oleth-20
CleansingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Steareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
BHA
Antioxidant
Potassium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Retinol, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Dipeptide-2, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Bisabolol, Caffeine, Glucosamine Hcl, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Silanetriol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ceramide NP, Lecithin, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Dimethiconol, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Pantolactone, Sodium Lactate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laureth-23, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Urea, Polyglycerin-3, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Oleth-20, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Isostearic Acid, Steareth-20, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, BHA, Potassium Citrate, Citric Acid, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
SolventSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Octyldecanol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Synthetic Beeswax, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Octyldecanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Palmitate is a wax-ester that pulls triple duty as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion enhancer.
It helps enhance the texture of products by giving a smooth, silky feel while helping to stabilize the formula. The emollient action softens skin and reduces moisture loss.
This ingredient is considered safe and human testing of concentrations between 2.5-2.7% were found minimal irritation. Just know, there have been very rare cases of the palmitate family causing contact dermatitis.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it contains a C16 ester (palmitic acid) that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Cetyl PalmitateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
