What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCarnitine Hcl
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum
Potassium Behenoyl Hydroxyproline
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Pentadecalactone
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantBehenic Acid
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveCapsicum Annuum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Carnitine Hcl, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum, Potassium Behenoyl Hydroxyproline, Disodium EDTA, Pentadecalactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Behenic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tin Oxide, Capsicum Annuum Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPei-10
Hydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingFructan
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSpirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingCI 75300
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Chloride
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingMalachite Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingC13-15 Alkane
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingParfum
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Kaolin, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Squalane, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylresorcinol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Pei-10, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Chloride, Fructan, Maltodextrin, Spirulina Maxima Extract, CI 75300, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Arginine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malachite Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polyisobutene, Pvp, C13-15 Alkane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Parfum, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolNiacinamide 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water