What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingTrideceth-10
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Trideceth-10, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Milk Protein, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-10
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dibutyl Adipate, Synthetic Beeswax, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Trideceth-10, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene
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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 StearateHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Emulsion stabilizers hold ingredients together, helping to create an even texture throughout the product.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate can also be used to thicken the texture.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-10 yet.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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