What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMadecassoside
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantBrassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientSophora Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ProtectingTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Arbutin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Trideceth-6, Adenosine, Carbomer, Madecassoside, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Propanediol, Tridecyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Panthenol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Bisabolol, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlyceryl 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 StearateHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Tocopheryl 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