What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Cysteamine Hcl
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil
Perfuming
Tannic Acid
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylamide, Cysteamine Hcl, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Laureth-7, Allantoin, Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil, Tannic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Milk Lipids
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Bacillus
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Milk Lipids, Lactic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Bacillus, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Ceteareth-20, PEG-40 Stearate, Laureth-7, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Acetyl Glutamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, BHT, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Behenyl Alcohol, 2,3-Butanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceteareth-25, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenic Acid, Carbomer, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolC13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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
