What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Orange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
BHT
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Mannitol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingFucose
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Erythritol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Urea
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingChondrus Crispus
Masking
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Glycerophosphoinositol Choline
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pullulan
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAlgin
Masking
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Viola Yedoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Orange Roughy Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phytosteryl Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Propanediol, BHT, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Mannitol, Ceteareth-20, Fucose, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Bisabolol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Sodium PCA, Ceramide NP, Polysorbate 20, Erythritol, Disodium EDTA, Urea, Trehalose, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Chondrus Crispus, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Glycerophosphoinositol Choline, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Beta-Sitosterol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Serine, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sorbic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Disodium Phosphate, Algin, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Carbomer, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Viola Yedoensis Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Tocopherol, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Zinc Lactate
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Amylopectin
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Carbomer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bisabolol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Zinc Lactate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Maltodextrin, Amylopectin, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
