What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Oxidized Glutathione
Emollient4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triheptanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Oxidized Glutathione, 4-Butylresorcinol, Hexapeptide-2, Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Gondoic Acid
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantParfum
Masking
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linolenic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Behenic Acid, Gondoic Acid, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
