What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglyceryl Palmitate
EmulsifyingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3
Butyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Hyperborea Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgin
Masking
Avena Sativa Bran
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Iris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingCichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglyceryl Palmitate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Laminaria Hyperborea Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Avena Sativa Bran, Cocos Nucifera Water, Iris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract, Rosa Damascena Leaf Cell Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Algin
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pullulan
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hexanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
BHT
Antioxidant
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone, PEG-8, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Algin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Urea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxystearic Acid, Myristic Acid, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Algin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Cetyl 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 extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
