What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Isoamyl Laurate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Didecene, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77163
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaproic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Mica, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caproic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 77491, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsoamyl Laurate is created from isoamyl alcohol and lauric acid. It is an emollient and traps moisture underneath.
This ingredient helps give products a silky feel and is considered a silicone alternative.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isoamyl LaurateOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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