What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Colloidal Oatmeal 2%
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPetrolatum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantEDTA
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTribehenin
EmollientMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningColloidal Oatmeal 2%, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Methylparaben, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Bisabolol, EDTA, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Potassium Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ceramide Ns, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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