What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Niacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPEG-75
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingOsmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingRibes Nigrum Bud Extract
PerfumingCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingBenzaldehyde
MaskingHexenyl Acetate
MaskingGamma-Decalactone
PerfumingIonone
AstringentEthyl Acetate
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPantethine
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOryzanol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PEG-75, Dimethicone, Persea Gratissima Oil, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-8, Glycereth-26, Sorbitan Stearate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Ribes Nigrum Bud Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Benzaldehyde, Hexenyl Acetate, Gamma-Decalactone, Ionone, Ethyl Acetate, Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Isopropyl Isostearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Sucrose, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Oryza Sativa Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pantethine, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Punica Granatum Sterols, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryzanol, Trehalose, Bisabolol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Palmitic Acid
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentMyristic Acid
CleansingMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWine Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Arginine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Myristic Acid, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Wine Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Linalool, Limonene
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 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 CarbomerCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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