What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Oil
Perfuming
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Butyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Vitis Vinifera Oil, Ethyl Macadamiate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Butyl Salicylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ectoin, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPPG-2-Deceth-30
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Water, Octocrylene, Homosalate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysilicone-15, Distarch Phosphate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, PPG-2-Deceth-30, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCetearyl 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 AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateWater. 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 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
