What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil
Emollient
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Stearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pantolactone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Honokiol, Magnolol, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearic Acid, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
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.
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 preservatives
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
