What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cocoyl Proline
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantGlutathione
Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polyacrylate-13
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolyisobutene
Beheneth-5
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isododecane, Coconut Alkanes, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cocoyl Proline, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Gold, Glutathione, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Tocopherol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Polyisobutene, Beheneth-5, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sorbitol, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTerminalia Arjuna Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caffeine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Triheptanoin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Squalane, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Oleic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Terminalia Arjuna Extract, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate
Reviews
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholCoco-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/CaprateOleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid that can be found naturally in your skin's sebum and in many plant oils such as avocado and olive oil.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and prevent moisture loss.
Research shows:
A 1998 study did find that applying oleic acid at higher concentrations may cause irritation and disrupt the skin barrier. Modern formulations typically use low levels that is well-tolerated.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Oleic Acid, at C18, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Oleic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 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
