What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycerophosphoinositol Choline
Skin ProtectingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sargassum Muticum Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Fucus Serratus Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, 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 ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Juice
MoisturisingTriticum Vulgare Seed Extract
BufferingHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Panthenol, Propanediol, Bacillus Ferment, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Juice, Prunus Persica Juice, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Pentylene Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
