What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cera Alba
Emollient
Polyurethane-35
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Methylpropanediol
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cellulose
Absorbent
Hectorite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycerin
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PPG-17/Ipdi/Dmpa Copolymer, Kaolin, Cera Alba, Polyurethane-35, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Methylpropanediol, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Potassium Sorbate, Cellulose, Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Tropolone, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Polyester-5
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingGlyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cera Alba, Silica, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polyester-5, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Ceramide EOP, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Citric 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 AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
