What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Squalane
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cellulose Acetate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propylene Glycol Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAnnona Cherimola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Heptapeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, CI 77891, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethylhexanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Squalane, Silica, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenic Acid, Cellulose Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Stearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77288, CI 77491, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Annona Cherimola Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Madecassoside, Heptapeptide-6, Hexapeptide-9, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sorbitol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Glycine
CleansingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLactose
HumectantLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentFarnesyl Acetate
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Panthenyl Triacetate
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingLecithin
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
PEG-35 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer/Papain Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Algin
Masking
Galactoarabinan
Schizophyllan
HumectantPEG-12 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Palmitoyl Glycine, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lactose, Lactis Proteinum, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Farnesyl Acetate, Farnesol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Lecithin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Carbomer/Papain Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Algin, Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate, Algin, Galactoarabinan, Schizophyllan, PEG-12 Glyceryl Laurate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTocopherol 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 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
