What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tridecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningTripleurospermum Maritimum Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
Perfuming
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Coriandrum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoglycerides, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Tridecyl Neopentanoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ergothioneine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Sea Whip Extract, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceteareth-20, PEG-40 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Nymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsomalt
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSymphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Acetyl Glutamine, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspartic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Isomalt, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenylpropanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 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
