What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Ricinoleate
EmollientQuaternium-91
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPEG-7 Amodimethicone
HumectantPEG-45m
HumectantAmodimethicone
Disodium EDTA
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingVitis Vinifera
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAhnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeAcetic Acid
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantPseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8/Smdi Copolymer
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingPEG-4 Dilaurate
EmulsifyingPEG-4
HumectantEtidronic Acid
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate, Quaternium-91, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate, Glycine Soja Oil, PEG-7 Amodimethicone, PEG-45m, Amodimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Polysilicone-15, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, C11-15 Pareth-7, Sodium Polyacrylate, C12-13 Pareth-3, C12-13 Pareth-23, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Acetic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Quaternium-95, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, PEG-8, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Punica Granatum Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, PEG-8/Smdi Copolymer, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, BHT, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Biotin, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, PEG-4 Laurate, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4, Etidronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Betainate Acetate
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetyl Esters
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Betainate Acetate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Inositol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Esters, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Lactic Acid, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCetyl Esters is a synthetic wax made up of mostly fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is strcturally similar to wax taken from whales.
As an emollient, it creates a thin barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl EstersGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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