What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta Vulgaris
Cosmetic ColorantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
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, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta Vulgaris, Fructooligosaccharides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 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 ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Isododecane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Isododecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Yeast Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Caffeine, Mandelic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Soy Amino Acids, Phosphatidylcholine, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Tin Oxide, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-12, Polysorbate 80, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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
