What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cellulose
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cocoglycerides, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Phosphate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cellulose Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Arachidic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Parfum, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Cetyl Palmitate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Palmitate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 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
