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
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sclerotium Gum, Triolein, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBehenyl 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 AlcoholCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 StearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
