What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Lactate
Buffering
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Jojoba Esters, Gluconolactone, Petrolatum, Steareth-21, Cetyl Alcohol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Lactate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eos, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Ceramide EOP, Bisabolol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Ceramide AP, Propylene Glycol, Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-25, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cholesterol, EDTA, Methylparaben, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lactate
Buffering
Squalane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Lactate
BufferingCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholecalciferol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-5 Lactate
EmollientCholesterol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Water, Ammonium Lactate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coconut Alkanes, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Lactate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholecalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Glycereth-5 Lactate, Cholesterol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium lactate is derived from lactic acid and is considered an AHA. It is often used to treat very dry, rough, or itchy skin.
At 12% strength, this ingredient has been shown to do more than just moisturize. Studies show it can increase skin thickness, boost natural hyaluronic acid in skin, and improve overall firmness/elasticity.
You'll likely see this ingredient in eczema treatments. Many OTC products contain this ingredient (up to 10%), but stronger versions (30%) are only available by prescription in many countries.
According to the Cosmetic Use Guidelines (CIR Expert Panel), this ingredient is safe to use at ≤10% with pH ≥3.5, provided sun protection is included. Like all AHAs, ammonium lactate makes your skin more sensitive to the sun (daily sun protection is a mustl). Without it, UV exposure can lead to damage and undo the benefits of treatment.
Be sure to listen to your medical provider when using prescription ammonium lactate.
Learn more about Ammonium LactateCeramide AP is formally known as Ceramide 6.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide NP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1 and Ceramide 1 A.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin. They bind dead skin cells together to create a barrier. The ceramides in our skin have the ability to hold water to keep our skin hydrated.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A strong skin barrier helps with:
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePolysorbate 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
