What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Stearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIndigofera Tinctoria Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLagerstroemia Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, C14-22 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Vinyldimethicone, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Indigofera Tinctoria Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lagerstroemia Indica Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glucose, Madecassoside, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantSqualane
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXylitol
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Xylitylglucoside, Squalane, Ectoin, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Lactobacillus Ferment, Anhydroxylitol, Sorbitan Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Benzyl Alcohol, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polyglycerin-3, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf ExtractCeramide 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 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosidePanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol 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