What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Cocoate
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Decyl Cocoate, Canola Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Betaine, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycine Soja Oil, Superoxide Dismutase, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Canola Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCalluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Canola Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Niacinamide, Squalane, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Mica, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Silica, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Ceramide EOP, CI 77491, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCanola Oil is Rapeseed oil with low amounts of erucic acid. It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients help hydrate and soften your skin by trapping moisture.
The comedogenic rating of canola oil is 4.
Canola oil contains Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and fatty acids such as linoleic acid.
Learn more about Canola OilCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ethylhexylglycerin 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 Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 TocopherolLingonberries are little red berries from arctic region. They are a great source of antioxidants and have been shown to help soothe inflammation.
The red color of the berries indicate high polyphenol content, the source of its antioxidants. Antioxidants help soothe the skin and protect cells against oxidative damage.
These berries also contain Vitamins A, B, and C.
Studies show the polyphenol content varies depending on region. Lingonberries grown in Alaska and Europe show high antioxidant content, while the lowest antioxidant content is found in eastern Canada.
Learn more about Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit ExtractWater. 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