What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 45100
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, CI 45100
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSucrose
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSpirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberWater, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, CI 77163, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Xanthan Gum, Iron Oxides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Niacinamide, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sucrose, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglycerin-3, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene
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 waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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.
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater. 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