What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPetrolatum
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Lactate
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingGlycolic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingWater, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Salicylic Acid, Petrolatum, Potassium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Lactate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingCanola Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAmmonium Lactate
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientWater, Urea, Canola Oil, Lactic Acid, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Lactate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Allantoin, Parfum, Glycine Soja Oil, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene
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 LactateCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeGlyceryl 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 StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl 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