What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Undecane
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Propylene Carbonate
SolventLecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Isostearate
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cera Microcristallina, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Propanediol, Undecane, Sodium Chloride, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Swertia Chirata Extract, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tridecane, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Isostearate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sucrose Cocoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water
