What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Algae Extract
EmollientLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Essential Oils
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Algae Extract, Linoleic Acid, Caffeine, Sucrose, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Trehalose, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Sorbitol, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Essential Oils
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylamide
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientPerlite
Absorbent
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tetrasodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylamide, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamide Mea, Sarcosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Perlite, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
