What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclomethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum, PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclomethicone, Water, Glycerin, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Seed Oil, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Mel Extract
MoisturisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPimpinella Anisum Seed Extract
AstringentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Acrylate
Alumina
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Prenol
Perfuming
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCetyl Lactate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Alcohol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Mel Extract, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Ethylhexyl Acrylate, Alumina, Silica, Dimethicone, Prenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cetyl Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholWe don't have a description for Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 Water
