What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isododecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Parfum, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Dna
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Pelargonate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Canola Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Pelargonate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Panax Ginseng Extract, Sodium Dna, Ceramide NP, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Glucose, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Butylene 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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. That’s important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesn’t absorb well through the skin. So if you’re applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
Sodium DNA may be sourced from fish, animal tissue, or plants. Since this isn’t always disclosed, we recommend asking the brand directly if the ingredient’s origin is important to you.
Learn more about Sodium DnaSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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