What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone 1%
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantManganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Copper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAcetylated Glycol Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone 1%, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trihydroxystearin, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Manganese Gluconate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Copper Gluconate, Citric Acid, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPalmitic Acid
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyacrylate-13
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingArachidic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingGlutathione
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Vinyldimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Phenyl Trimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Arginine, Palmitic Acid, Allantoin, Silica, Polyacrylate-13, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Squalane, Bisabolol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Glucose, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Oleic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arachidic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Myristic Acid, Glutathione, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 PolyisobuteneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol 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