What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Juice
MoisturisingTriticum Vulgare Seed Extract
BufferingHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Masking
Artemisia Dracunculus Oil
Perfuming
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructose, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Juice, Prunus Persica Juice, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Artemisia Dracunculus Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholecalciferol
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholecalciferol, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholThis ingredient is also known as grapefruit peel oil. It is mainly used as a fragrance/perfuming ingredient and is made up of about 99-92% limonene.
Though in vitro or food science has shown this oil to be antibacterial, possess antioxidant activity, and be anti-inflammatory, there's very little research testing it directly on human skin or in cosmetics.
Limonene is a known skin sensitizer. Because grapefruit peel oil can contain furanocoumarins, this ingredient can also cause phototoxicity. It is possible to created furanocoumarin-free versions that are not phototoxic; it is best to reach out to the brand if you have questions about this ingredient in your cosmetics.
Learn more about Citrus Paradisi Peel OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMagnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.
Magnesium aluminum silicate is used for enhancing texture and as an absorbent. Due to its large molecular size, it is unable to be absorbed into the skin.
Like other types of silica, this ingredient can be used to thicken a product. As an absorbent, it may be used to absorb extra water or help prevent clumping.
Although āaluminumā in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic āaluminum overload.ā
Learn more about Magnesium Aluminum SilicatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
