What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Cyanidium Caldarium Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arachidyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Triheptanoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Cyanidium Caldarium Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Allantoin, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Squalene, Cholesterol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Tocopherol, Behenic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Arachidyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Cellulose Gum, Polyglycerin-3, Glycine Soja Oil, Ceteareth-25, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Beta-Sitosterol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Valine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Canola Oil, Octyldodecanol, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycoproteins, Glutamic Acid, Valine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Threonine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ceramide helps condition and moisturize skin.
It is created by reacting caproic acid and phytosphingosine, two fatty acids.
Ceramides work to improve hydration from within. Their lipophilic trait means they are likely to be absorbed into skin but expected to remain in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin).
Learn more about Caprooyl PhytosphingosineCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides isn't fungal acne safe.
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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
