What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientBetaine
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAroma
Phytosteryl Sunflowerseedate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingIsopulegol
MaskingHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Olea Europaea Husk Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTribehenin
EmollientVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantWater, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Glycine Soja Oil, Aroma, Phytosteryl Sunflowerseedate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteareth-20, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isopulegol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Olea Europaea Husk Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Methyl Nicotinate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tribehenin, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glucoside, Glycine Soja Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Swertia Chirata Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Dextrin, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Retinol, Alpha-Arbutin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitatePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Phenoxyethanol 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.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water