What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Tuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingMalic Acid
Buffering
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Tripeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Carnosine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mannitol, Betaine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Dipeptide-4, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Malic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-100
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide NP, Folic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Triheptanoin, Swertia Chirata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-100, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acetyl Glutamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 20Water. 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
