What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Isohexadecane, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isostearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Isoceteth-10, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Stearyl/PPG-3 Myristyl Ether Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, PEG-8, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Hexylresorcinol, Stearyl/PPG-3 Myristyl Ether Dimer Dilinoleate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arbutin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Ergothioneine, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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.
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
