What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Paphiopedilum Maudiae Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Paphiopedilum Maudiae Flower Extract, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Octadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Acetic Acid
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycosphingolipids, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Bisabolol, Tocotrienols, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalene, Beta-Sitosterol, Octadecenedioic Acid, Acetic Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Ethylhexyl Cocoate is created from 2-ethylhexanol and Coconut Acid. Coconut Acid is created from the fatty acids derived from Coconut Oil.
As an emollient, Ethylhexyl Cocoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a thin film on top of skin that traps moisture in.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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 Acetate
