What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Baicalin
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Acetic Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Azelaic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Squalane, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Inulin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Carnosine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Baicalin, Ectoin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Phenylpropanol, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Mannitol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningWaltheria Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicBenzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cosmetic Colorant
Teprenone
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDextran
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Mannitol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Ceramide NP, Caffeine, Honey, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Glutathione, Ergothioneine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Waltheria Indica Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol, Biotin, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Teprenone, Sorbitan Olivate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Dextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dextran, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Gluconate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide 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 NPGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseLecithin 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.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
