What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polyvinyl Alcohol
BHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Isopropyl Myristate, Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Plankton Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, Polyvinyl Alcohol, BHT, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Mimosa Tenuiflora Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide NP, Mimosa Tenuiflora Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Mica, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
