What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium PCA, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phytic Acid
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDiglycerin
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Auricularia Polytricha Fruiting Body Extract
HumectantJuniperus Virginiana Wood Oil
Perfuming
Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Tocopherol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Propanediol, Auricularia Polytricha Fruiting Body Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil, Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
