What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Hydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTbhq
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingHoney Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylene, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Phytosteryl Hydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Ceresin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 19140, CI 15985, Tocopherol, Tbhq, Water, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Orchid Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Honey Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Stearate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantArginine
MaskingCaprylic Acid
CleansingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBetulin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Sodium Chloride, Octyldodeceth-16, Artemisia Annua Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Arginine, Caprylic Acid, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betulin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinTocopherol 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 Water