What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopentyldiol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCanola Oil
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingProtease
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAmodimethicone
Glucose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlutathione
Ferulic Acid
AntimicrobialLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingLinoleic Acid
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Trehalose, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Canola Oil, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Protease, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Amodimethicone, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glutathione, Ferulic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Gluconolactone, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Thiamine Hcl
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingOleyl Erucate
EmollientNylon-12
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Limon Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil
PerfumingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Oleyl Erucate, Nylon-12, Cetyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Limon Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sclerotium Gum, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 77891, Tin Oxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C.
This ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
It helps with dark spot fading by interfering with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. Like other forms of vitamin C, this ingredient encourages the skin to create more collagen.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when combined with acetyl zingerone.
Learn more about Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum