What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone 2%
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlanine
Masking
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Leucine
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingValine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingDimethicone 2%, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cyclopentasiloxane, Behenyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Arachidyl Glucoside, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Parfum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycine, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, PEG-400, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alanine, Arginine Hcl, Aspartic Acid, Glucose, Glutamic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Leucine, Lysine Hcl, Mannitol, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Tromethamine, Valine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Histidine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ubiquinone, Folic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
Citric 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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium 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 SorbateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl 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
