What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-11
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sea Water
HumectantPunica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningIllite
Abrasive
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Perfluorohexane
SolventHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientCholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentafluoropropane
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Veronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Algae Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Niacin
SmoothingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningCarnitine Hcl
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ozokerite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ubiquinone, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sea Water, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Caffeine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Arbutin, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Lactobacillus, Illite, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Perfluorohexane, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Caviar Extract, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Cholesteryl Chloride, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Alcohol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Perfluorodecalin, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Pentafluoropropane, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Steareth-20, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Hydrolyzed Silk, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Algae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Niacin, Folic Acid, Chrysin, Carnitine Hcl, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, CI 77891, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Isoceteth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lecithin, Retinol, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol 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
