What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPetrolatum
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Petrolatum, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ceramide Ns, Alpha-Arbutin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Lecithin, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cyclopentasiloxane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Laureth-7, Polyacrylamide, Potassium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, DMDM Hydantoin, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantErythritol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantUrea
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantPCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater, Panthenol, PEG-8, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Urea, Trehalose, PCA, Sodium PCA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octyldodecanol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bioflavonoids, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Hexyldecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
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
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolCeramide NS is formally known as Ceramide 2. It is one of the major ceramides in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) plays a role in forming a protective barrier.
Due to its structure, skin lipids can be packed tightly and in turn, this strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss.
Studies show conditions like atopic dermatitis can worsen when ceramide NS levels are low.
Learn more about Ceramide NsThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8Water. 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