What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Escin
TonicAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Trihydroxystearin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Glycerin, Escin, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Centella Asiatica Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glucomannan, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pullulan
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pullulan, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Triethanolamine, Sodium Benzoate, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 Water
