What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantCreatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cocoglycerides, Panthenol, Ubiquinone, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Pantolactone, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trisodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexyl Laurate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialSorbitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ubiquinone, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Oleate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating.
Its emollient property helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl StearateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitratePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water