What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolyamide-5
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Nylon-12
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCeteareth-25
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingKaolin
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Pvp, Polyamide-5, Polyacrylic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Nylon-12, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ceteareth-25, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-90m, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Kaolin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningRhus Verniciflua Peel Cera
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Nitrate
SoothingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Nitrate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
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 GlycolCopernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil; another name for this ingredient is Carnauba Wax.
This ingredient is used to thicken texture and also leaves behind a film when applied.
Fun fact: This wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.
Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera WaxEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
