What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPapain
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientArginine
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingUrea
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylamide
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Papain, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Arginine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Bacillus Ferment, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylamide, Carbomer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol, 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.
C13-14 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 IsoparaffinGlycerin (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.
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 Water