What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlus Oil
EmollientPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingSqualane
EmollientEthyl Linoleate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthyl Linolenate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientEthyl Palmitate
EmollientEthyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin ConditioningPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPinus Heldreichii Bark Extract
AntioxidantSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSpilanthes Acmella Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Olus Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Squalane, Ethyl Linoleate, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethyl Linolenate, Ethyl Oleate, Ethyl Palmitate, Ethyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Pinus Heldreichii Bark Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingDiisooctyl Succinate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentRibose
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientDimethylaminoethanol Tartrate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCitrus Junos Peel Oil
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGlycogen
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingVibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDextran
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Lauryl Laurate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Diisooctyl Succinate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sulfur, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ribose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Poria Cocos Polysaccharide, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate, Cetyl Palmitate, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Glycogen, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose Gum, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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 GlycolCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Palmitate is a wax-ester that pulls triple duty as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion enhancer.
It helps enhance the texture of products by giving a smooth, silky feel while helping to stabilize the formula. The emollient action softens skin and reduces moisture loss.
This ingredient is considered safe and human testing of concentrations between 2.5-2.7% were found minimal irritation. Just know, there have been very rare cases of the palmitate family causing contact dermatitis.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it contains a C16 ester (palmitic acid) that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Cetyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitratePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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