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 ConditioningSodium 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
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
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. 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
