What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLinseed Oil Ascorbate Esters
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
Quaternium-26
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dimethyl Stearamine
EmulsifyingSodium Acetate
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Sericin
Skin ConditioningFibroin
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Water, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Linseed Oil Ascorbate Esters, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Quaternium-26, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Disodium EDTA, Dimethyl Stearamine, Sodium Acetate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzoate, Lauryl Alcohol, Cellulose, Sericin, Fibroin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Parfum, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Masking
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dimethylheptenal
Perfuming
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Hexenyl Acetate
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIonone
Astringent
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vanillin
Masking
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Triethyl Citrate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Dimethylheptenal, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gamma-Nonalactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hexenyl Acetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ionone, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vanillin, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein yet.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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
