What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolyacrylate-21
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Stearic Acid
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSteareth-2
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPolybutene
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDiamond Powder
AbrasiveCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylate-21, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Stearic Acid, Steareth-20, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tribehenin, Silica, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Allantoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Diamond Powder, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantLaureth-20
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Vp/Va Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Alcohol Denat., Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Acacia Senegal Gum, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-20, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77266, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax is wax from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It has moisturizing properties due to its polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids content.
This ingredient is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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