What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cera Alba
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cera Alba, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PEG-20 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Soluble Collagen, Palmitic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Glycine Soja Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hexamidine Diisethionate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilPeg-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.
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 AcidTocopheryl 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
