What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGelatin
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentBrassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Ceramide NP, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Gelatin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAminopropyl Dimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantOxidized Keratin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingCrinum Asiaticum Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantLaureth-23
CleansingC12-15 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Parfum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glutamic Acid, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Lecithin, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Oxidized Keratin, Ceteareth-20, Crinum Asiaticum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, PEG-10, Laureth-23, C12-15 Pareth-3, Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 GlycolCeramide 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 AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinPanthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract yet.
Tocopheryl 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