What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
N-Stearoyl-Dihydrosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium
Elastin
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Succinoyl Atelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Collagen Powder
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBifida Polysaccharide
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Triethylhexanoin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Diglycerin, N-Stearoyl-Dihydrosphingosine, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium, Elastin, Myristoyl Succinoyl Atelocollagen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Collagen Powder, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isostearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Bifida Polysaccharide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Vinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Saponins
CleansingSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Algin
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Dextran
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycereth-26, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Polyglycerin-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructan, Inulin, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Saponins, Soluble Proteoglycan, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-3, Hexapeptide-9, Oligopeptide-2, Malt Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Cyanocobalamin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Algin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Mineral Salts, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucrose, Dextran, Disodium Phosphate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 AlcoholDisodium Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster and mild chelating agent. It basically holds a specific pH and binds stray metal ions so your product stays stable.
This ingredient is usually used at very low levels and concentrations range from 0.000054% - 2.9%. The CIR Expert Panel states this ingredient to be non-irritating at current use levels.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopherol 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
