What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilanetriol
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Milk Lipids
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
CI 16185
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silanetriol, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Milk Lipids, Ceramide NP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, CI 16185, CI 15985, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Squalane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Heptyl Glucoside
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Turtle Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Heptyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Turtle Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
