What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cholesterol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Prunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholesterol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Adenosine, Honey, Diamond Powder, Phospholipids, Trehalose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica, Decyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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
