What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffin
Perfuming
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingLactic Acid
Buffering
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-20 Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cera Microcristallina, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Lactate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Lactic Acid, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, BHT, Sorbitol, CI 14700, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose Cocoate, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Laureth-7, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Polysorbate 20, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 GlycerinMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
