What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Bitartrate
BufferingKojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides
Emollient
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Potassium Bitartrate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Darutoside, Ubiquinone, Phytosphingosine, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sh-Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Glutathione Isomerized Linoleate
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sh-Pentapeptide-5, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Glutathione Isomerized Linoleate, Glucomannan, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Silica Silylate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Trisiloxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77491, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
