What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBrassica Glycerides
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Lactate
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingClitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Brassica Glycerides, Cetyl Palmitate, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Lactate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlus Oil
EmollientCetyl Lactate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientSqualene
EmollientOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl Sunflowerseedate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olus Oil, Cetyl Lactate, Propanediol, C12-16 Alcohols, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Squalene, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phytosteryl Sunflowerseedate, Glycine Soja Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosterols, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Gluconolactone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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