What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTheanine
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant2-Tert-Butylcyclohexanol
PerfumingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerophosphoinositol Choline
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearyl Glyceryl Ether
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSepia Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningMevalonolactone
HumectantCalcium Pantetheine Sulfonate
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tridecyl Isononanoate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Boron Nitride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Panthenol, Sea Water, Glycine Soja Extract, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Theanine, Retinol, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 2-Tert-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Glycerophosphoinositol Choline, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caramel, Isostearyl Glyceryl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Soluble Proteoglycan, Citric Acid, Sepia Extract, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Mevalonolactone, Calcium Pantetheine Sulfonate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCaprylic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zea Mays Starch, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Allantoin, Beta-Carotene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Retinol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Phosphatidylcholine, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Arginine, Caprylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideWe don't have a description for Caramel yet.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
We don't have a description for Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid yet.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWe don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate yet.
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate is a skin conditioner with emollient and emulsifier properties.
It is an esther of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-10.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 StearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum