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 ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Diglycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lavandula Stoechas Extract
MaskingSodium Phytate
C15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-14 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglycerin-3, Isopropyl Myristate, Tribehenin, Silica, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Sodium Phytate, C15-23 Alkane, C13-14 Alkane, Polyurethane-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, CI 77742, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Acer Saccharum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hexylene Glycol
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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Isopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolSilica, 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
