What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate/PEG/PPG-4/3 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingPropanediol
SolventMyristoyl Nonapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDarutoside
Skin ConditioningAminobutyric Acid
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate/PEG/PPG-4/3 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Propanediol, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Darutoside, Aminobutyric Acid, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Lecithin, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propyl Gallate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCoconut Alkanes
EmollientDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialJojoba Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Jojobate
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingSilica
AbrasivePalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Mica, Caffeine, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Coconut Alkanes, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chlorphenesin, Jojoba Alcohol, Potassium Jojobate, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Bisabolol, Sodium Phytate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citric Acid, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glucose, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Citrate, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Biotin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 16035, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract is from brown seaweed that grows in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage our skin cells.
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract is also used to enhance the texture of products.
Asparagopsis Armata Extract is from seaweed. It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules. These molecules damage our cells.
Asparagopsis Armata Extract may also be used to enhance the texture of products.
Ongoing research shows Asparagopsis Armata Extract may have antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Asparagopsis Armata ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateThough this ingredient might sound like a juicy fruit extract, it's actually the fat pressed from the mango seed kernel (or the pit). In skincare, it behaves more like shea butter and cocoa butter than like a plant active.
The fatty acid makeup of mango seed butter makes it special; it's typically rich in stearic acid and oleic acid, with small amounts of palmitic and linoleic acid. This combo helps it melt on skin, feel creamy, and leave behind a protective "seal" that slows down water loss.
It also contains a small amount of "extras" like tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols, which are often used to support skin soothing.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Mangifera Indica Seed ButterPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl 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