What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Algae Extract
EmollientOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Algae Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Panthenol, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Tricaprylin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Esters
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Magnolia Biondii Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Steareth-20
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Paraffinum Liquidum, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Esters, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Hexyldecanol, Cetyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Pisum Sativum Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Magnolia Biondii Flower Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-1, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Steareth-20, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Sorbitan Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Benzoate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is used in skincare as a delivery system.
It works by "encapsulating" active ingredients with its unique ring shape that is water-loving on the outside and oil-loving on the inside. This improves the stability and absorption of the product into the skin.
According to a manufacturer, it also offer some moisturizing effects.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (IPBC) is a preservative that is especially good at getting fungi and mold out of your cosmetics.
IPBC works by leveraging the antimicrobial properties of its iodine containing structure. Iodine has been used as a germicide since the late 1800s and IPBC is a more refined and stable derivative of it.
It is typically used at very low levels in cosmetics, with most formulations using 0.0125% or less (well below its approved maximum).
In the EU, IPBC concentration limits are set at 0.02% in rinse-off products and 0.01% in leave-on products.
Though IPBC is a relatively uncommon contact allergen, patch testing studies show positive reaction rates ranging from 0.3%-0.9% of patients tested. This is still quite low compared to preservatives like methylisothiazolinone which sits at around 4-5%.
Researchers note that existing iodine sensitives or rubber allergies may be the cause of this as IPBC shares a structure with both thiuram (used in rubber) and iodine.
Be sure to patch test if you are unsure and speak with a medical professional about using this ingredient.
Learn more about Iodopropynyl ButylcarbamateSilica, 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 SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
