What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingJojoba Esters
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMalachite Extract
AntioxidantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Jojoba Esters, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Arachidyl Glucoside, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Malachite Extract, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Tocopherol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPEG-100 Stearate
Palmitic Acid
EmollientMethoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyisobutene
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientTocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPantethine
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingDimethiconol
EmollientGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Retinol
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientDodecene
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientHoney
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Flower Extract
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTbhq
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-40 Stearate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Stearic Acid, Propanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Polyacrylate-13, Glycine Soja Oil, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Propylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Acetyl Glucosamine, Polyquaternium-51, Hexyl Laurate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Tocopheryl Linoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pantethine, Salicylic Acid, Dimethiconol, Glyceryl Linolenate, Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Beta-Glucan, Disodium EDTA, Retinol, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Dextrin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Dodecene, Sodium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Honey, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, BHT, Linalool, Panax Ginseng Flower Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Eugenol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tbhq, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life due to its chemical structure. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils, preventing it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba Seed OilParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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