What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, C14-22 Alcohols, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyacrylate-13
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Betaine, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylate-13, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyisobutene, Potassium Hydroxide, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Water, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Myristic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 StearateMyristic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is naturally found in milk fat. Other sources include palm oil, coconut oil, and butter fat.
Myristic Acid is an emulsifer and cleanser. As an emulsifer, it stabilizes a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Myristic Acid helps clean your skin by acting as a surfactant. It tends to gather oil and dirt on your skin to be easily rinsed away.
One study from 2021 found Myristic Acid to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Myristic AcidPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
