What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C15-19 Alkane
SolventC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Magnesium Sulfate
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lysine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Magnesium Chloride
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Silica, Dextrin Palmitate, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Trehalose, Glyceryl Linolenate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Magnesium Chloride, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Aminopropanediol
BufferingCeteareth-33
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ceteth-20
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-75 Stearate
Steareth-20
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Polyester-7, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Aminopropanediol, Ceteareth-33, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Oleyl Alcohol, Phytosterols, Anhydroxylitol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
