What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
Masking2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol
Masking
Ethyl Acetoacetate
Perfuming
Methyl Benzodioxepinone
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Sulfite, BHT, Ammonium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Methyldihydrojasmonate, 2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Methyl Benzodioxepinone, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 17200, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Niacinamide, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, Retinol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-10, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
