What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Squalane, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassoside, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycereth-26
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiglycerin
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantDianthus Chinensis Extract
HumectantGlucose
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBrassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycereth-26, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, Diglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Dianthus Chinensis Extract, Glucose, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ascorbic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astaxanthin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol 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 PanthenolStearic 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 AcidWater. 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