What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium PCA, Ceramide NP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosphingosine, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Decylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Oleic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Alanine
MaskingCarnitine
CleansingGlycine
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Alanine, Carnitine, Glycine, Sodium PCA, Arginine Hcl, Phytosphingosine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Oleic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is an amino acid that helps build proteins and moisturizes skin. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.
Glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized as amino acids transport moisture throughout our skin.
As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed glycine may help our skin produce more collagen.
Learn more about GlycineHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
Oleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid. It can be found in many plant oils such as avocado and marula oils.
This ingredient is used to enhance the texture of products and as a cleansing agent.
Oleic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Oleic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
