What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientYucca Glauca Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-28
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBisabolol
MaskingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Polyphenols
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone, Yucca Glauca Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Retinol, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Resveratrol, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Bisabolol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Tetrapeptide-21, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Laureth-7, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 6.5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingEctoin
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTripleurospermum Maritimum Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 6.5%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Benzophenone-3 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Cocoglycerides, Lauryl Lactate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Ectoin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Ethyl Linoleate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 17200
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 and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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. 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