What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cera Alba
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Alcohol Denat., Cetearyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Pisum Sativum Extract, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cera Alba, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Limonene, Chlorphenesin, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Water
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Olivate
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Water, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Phytosteryl Oleate, C12-16 Alcohols, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Carnosine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Linoleic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Palmitic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Collagen Amino Acids, Micrococcus Lysate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oligopeptide-1, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytosterols, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceteareth-25, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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
