What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
Emollient
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Methylparaben
Preservative
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
Moisturising
Propylparaben
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Water, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Isocetyl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Avocadate, Climbazole, Piroctone Olamine, Carbomer, Bisabolol, Methylparaben, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Propyl Gallate
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.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerWater. 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
