What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Algae Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract, Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Trisiloxane, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maris Sal, Yeast Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Phytosphingosine, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Dipeptide-2, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Caffeine, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Lactis Proteinum, Acetyl Glucosamine, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucrose, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Silica, Nylon-12, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Steareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Parfum, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Maleate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Rna
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Steareth-20
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Maleate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Caviar Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Ceramide NP, Rna, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Dna, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Pullulan, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Tetrapeptide-3, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biotin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Chrysin, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 19140, CI 16035
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorhexidine Digluconate is a preservative.
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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a synthetic peptide. Its main job is to fight what researchers call "inflammaging".
"Inflammaging" is the slow, low-grade chronic inflammation that quietly breaks down collagen as we age.
This ingredient calms down a specific inflammation signal in your skin cells (called IL-6). When left unchecked, this signal triggers enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.
Clinical testing showed statistically significant improvements in:
Studies also found the more of this ingredient used, the more your skin produces Collagen I, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid.
You'll likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
A 3% concentration applied twice daily for two months showed meaningful skin rejuvenation results in clinical panels.
Fungal acne note:
Usually a palmitic acid component can feed Malassezia in unbound form, but here is is covalently bonded to the peptide. This means it is very difficult for Malassezia to access, and therefore very unlikely to cause fungal acne.
Parfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Tocopheryl 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
