What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Garcinia Cambogia Peel Extract
AstringentAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGolden Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Damascena Callus Extracellular Vesicles
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hexapeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Microcrystalline Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Dna, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Peel Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Golden Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Triethanolamine, Adenosine, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hexapeptide-6, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentFructan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Algae Extract
EmollientGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Sesquipedale Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycereth-20
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Cetyl Dimethicone, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Fructan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Algae Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Gelidium Sesquipedale Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Serine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Alanine, Lysine, Threonine, Proline, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-10, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycereth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
