What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-5 Caprylyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PPG-5 Caprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Methyl Trimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Dimethicone, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dextrin, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Parfum, Beta-Glucan, Cholesterol, Mannitol, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ursolic Acid
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIlomastat
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Ceramide Ng, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Jojoba Esters, Soy Isoflavones, Phospholipids, Saccharide Isomerate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ursolic Acid, Adenosine, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tetrahydropiperine, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ilomastat, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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 GlycolCetyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateTocopherol 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
