What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHoney Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Caramel, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, CI 19140, CI 15985, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Melanin
Skin ProtectingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlyceryl Laurate
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Coconut Alkanes, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Montmorillonite, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Phospholipids, Melanin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Pentylene Glycol, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantothenic Acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
