What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Carbomer, Medicago Sativa Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
