What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingParaffin
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Isopropyl Myristate, Sorbitol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, PEG-75 Stearate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cera Microcristallina, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Paraffin, Decylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
C11-13 Pareth-9
CleansingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Xanthan Gum, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, C11-13 Pareth-9, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinC13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideTocopheryl 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
