What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Melibiose
HumectantPropylparaben
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Ascorbic Acid/Orange/Citrus Limon/Citrus Aurantifolia Polypeptides
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Melibiose, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid/Orange/Citrus Limon/Citrus Aurantifolia Polypeptides, Retinyl Palmitate, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tricaprylyl Citrate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Tricaprylyl Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Boron Nitride, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Cetyl Phosphate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Dipeptide-2, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Oleyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Lecithin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891
Reviews
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
