What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantRaffinose
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Xanthan Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Beta-Glucan, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Myristic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Raffinose, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ceramide NP, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Folic Acid, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Extract, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Phytic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral
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
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol 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 StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium 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 Water