What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSodium Phytate
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMalachite Extract
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAzulene
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlutathione
Oligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Phytate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Carbomer, Arginine, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Malachite Extract, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Lauryl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Azulene, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Glutathione, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingHibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
MaskingTillandsia Usneoides Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Squalane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Tillandsia Usneoides Extract, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dextrin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Palmitic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Pvp, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic 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.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan 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