What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Sucrose Distearate, Citric Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Olivate
Emollient
Water, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Levulinic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Olivate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 Gum
