What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Ribose
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningImpatiens Balsamina Flower Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Emollient
Glyceryl Olivate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tromethamine
BufferingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Ribose, Sodium PCA, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Allantoin, Adenosine, Betaine, Citric Acid, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Glyceryl Olivate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tromethamine, Phosphatidylcholine, Phytosphingosine, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Mica, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77491, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tapioca Starch
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tapioca Starch, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Linoleic Acid, Citric Acid, Phytosterols, Glucose, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Carrageenan, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Phytate, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
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
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 AlcoholCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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
