What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientWater, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Flower, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningIngredients 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
