What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
PEG-100 Stearate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Propionate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, BHT, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientIsomerized Linoleic Acid
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriticum Aestivum Germ Oil
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingTriolein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingHordeum Vulgare Root Extract
EmollientCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
PerfumingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Isomerized Linoleic Acid, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triticum Aestivum Germ Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Triolein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitic Acid, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Root Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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 Water