What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingAroma
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Succinic Acid, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Aroma, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 19140, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Resveratrol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ceramide NP
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolCyclohexasiloxane 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 CyclohexasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from the stem of the Prickly Pear cactus. The stem is rich in polyphenols, a potent source of antioxidants. It is anti-aging and soothing properties.
Prickly Pear stem is made up mostly of water (85%). The rest is composed of skin nourishing compounds: protein, fiber, fatty acid, simple sugars, Vitamin C, and some minerals.
Polyphenols help mitigate the effects of aging. Studies show polyphenols protect the skin from oxidative stress, UV-induced damage, and inflammation.
Prickly pear is often compared to Aloe.
Learn more about Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem ExtractWater. 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