What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Triethanolamine
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Plankton Extract, Ceramide Ng, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Triethanolamine, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amodimethicone
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycine Max Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Amodimethicone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolXanthan 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
