What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Methicone
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Meadowfoam Estolide
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Steareth-20
CleansingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Aleuritic Acid
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Canola Oil
Emollient
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Stearyl Stearate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearyl Behenate, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyethylene, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Phenyl Methicone, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyquaternium-51, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, PEG-150 Distearate, Ceramide AP, Glycosphingolipids, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Meadowfoam Estolide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Polysorbate 20, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Polysorbate 60, Aleuritic Acid, Yeast Extract, Glycoproteins, Betaine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Colloidal Oatmeal, Retinyl Retinoate, Polylactic Acid, Canola Oil, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Glycine Soja Sterols, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Santalum Album Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glucose, Stearyl Stearate, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Dipropylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Linalool
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
2-Dimethylamino Ethanol
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Mea
BufferingIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Urea
Buffering
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ceteareth-20
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Thioctic Acid, 2-Dimethylamino Ethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Water, Dimethyl Mea, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tyrosine, Glycolic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Urea, Phosphatidylcholine, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Acetyl Tyrosine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and surfactant made by reacting cetearyl alcohol with 20 moles of ethylene oxide.
This gives it both oil and water-loving properties that makes it an effect emulsifier; it's really great at pulling oil droplets into water to create a stable, creamy, and easy-to-spread base.
Typical use ranges from 0.5-30%. Most leave-on products are in the 1-10% zone.
The 20 ethylene oxide units is well above the PEG-10 threshold and therefore not a food source for Malassezia (it's fungal acne safe).
This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 2 and an irritancy rating of 3. These numbers come from testing the raw ingredient on rabbit ears and doesn't reflect how it will behave in a finished product.
In practice, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient. The ratings reflect cautious lab conditions and not real-world use. Just be sure to patch test any formulas you feel unsure about.
Learn more about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl 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 StearateLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
