What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Olus Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalene
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cholesterol
Emollient
Pantolactone
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olus Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalene, Butylene Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cholesterol, Pantolactone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Behenate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentBetaine
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Canola Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Behenic Acid, Cetyl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearates, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Urea, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 StearatePeg-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.
Phenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
