What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Glycerin
HumectantGlycerophosphoinositol Choline
Skin ProtectingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSargassum Muticum Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantFucus Serratus Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Ectoin, Squalane, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitol, Polyacrylate-13, Glycerin, Glycerophosphoinositol Choline, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Polyisobutene, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sargassum Muticum Extract, Sodium Ascorbate, Fucus Serratus Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Trehalose, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Tocopherol, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Dimethiconol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialBHA
AntioxidantTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate
UV AbsorberSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bakuchiol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Poloxamer 235, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betaine, Retinol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Ceramide NP, Alcohol, BHA, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 19140, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-29, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
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.
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 preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 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 NPCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDimethiconol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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