What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Steartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Phyllostachys Pubescens Meristem Cell Lysate
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Prunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Lupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Isomalt
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningBis-(Polyglyceryl-3 Oxyphenylpropyl) Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Etidronic Acid
ChelatingTetrasodium Etidronate
ChelatingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Steartrimonium Chloride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, PEG-90m, Glucose, Phyllostachys Pubescens Meristem Cell Lysate, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Isomalt, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Bis-(Polyglyceryl-3 Oxyphenylpropyl) Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Etidronic Acid, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 17200, Limonene, Linalool
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicArginine
Masking
Taurine
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Isoamyl Cocoate
Polyquaternium-10
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Verbena Officinalis Extract
EmollientCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
Perfuming
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride, Isoamyl Laurate, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Arginine, Taurine, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-10, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, PCA, Abies Sibirica Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneWater. 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
