What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Callus Extract
AntioxidantTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Squalane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethiconol, Behenyl Alcohol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, PEG-100 Stearate, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
AntioxidantBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientMannitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantGlycine Max Oil
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Arachidic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCanola Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Mannitol, Glucose, Glycine Max Oil, Myristic Acid, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Arachidic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Silica, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Canola Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
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 AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 StearateWater. 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