What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, PEG-40 Stearate, Cetearyl Methicone, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sea Water Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Cera
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Arachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lanolin
Emollient
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecyl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sea Water Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Cera, Tocopherol, PEG-20 Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Saccharide Isomerate, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lanolin, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Retinyl Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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
