What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicEthylparaben
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone, Water, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Medicago Sativa Extract, Ethylparaben, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polysilicone-11, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Decyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Reviews
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
We don't have a description for Morus Alba Leaf Extract yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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 20Propylene 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 GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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
