What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingIsoceteth-25
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientNigella Sativa Seed Extract
PerfumingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trehalose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-10, Isoceteth-25, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventAcrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Hexyl Laurate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCholeth-24
EmulsifyingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Isododecane, Methyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hexyl Laurate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pvp, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Choleth-24, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP
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.
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 preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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