What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arachidyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantDisodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingXylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientPolypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract
HumectantCetraria Islandica Thallus Extract
HumectantSphagnum Magellanicum Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLecithin
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone, Water, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract, Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract, Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Lecithin, Disiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum