What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Ammonia
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysorbate 85
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-3
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylate-13
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Methylparaben
Preservative
Cystoseira Amentacea/Caespitosa Branchycarpa Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 85, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyl Avocadate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Retinyl Palmitate, Steareth-3, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Sucrose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Polyisobutene, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Methyldihydrojasmonate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polysorbate 20, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Methylparaben, Cystoseira Amentacea/Caespitosa Branchycarpa Extract, Chlorphenesin, Gamma-Undecalactone, Benzoic Acid, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
