What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isohexadecane
EmollientHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Octyldodecanol, Caprylyl Methicone, Betaine, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingHydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Zea Mays Germ Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Prunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Pistacia Vera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Juglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dimethicone, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pistacia Vera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, BHT, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Damascena Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Alcohol, Propyl Gallate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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 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
