What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, BHT, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Glycolic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Lactate
Buffering
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholecalciferol
Cholesterol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Propylparaben
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
