What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Parfum, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Linalool, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCyclomethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyisobutene
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPullulan
Disodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cyclomethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Stearyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Fructooligosaccharides, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic 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.
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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 StearateThis ingredient is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioner used to make skincare products feel more lightweight on the skin. It helps improve slip and spreadability without feeling greasy.
Because it is high molecular weight and lipophilic (oil loving), it remains on the surface of skin.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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