What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOctadecene
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octadecene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Linalool, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Limonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLeptospermum Petersonii Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Limonene, Citral, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimonenePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol 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