What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cera Microcristallina, Squalane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Caffeine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Pareth-3 Benzoate
AntimicrobialPetrolatum
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, C12-15 Pareth-3 Benzoate, Petrolatum, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-8, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Retinyl Palmitate, Triethanolamine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didnāt promote comedone formation in standard models.
Learn more about PetrolatumWater. 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
