What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Surfactin
CleansingDextran
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Vinyldimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Arginine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Dextrin, Sodium Surfactin, Dextran, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantVinyldimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Diglycerin, Vinyldimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sorbitol, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclodextrin, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Parfum, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol 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 PanthenolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineVinyldimethicone is a type of silicone.
Water. 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