What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Cera Alba
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingParaffin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylene Brassylate
MaskingStearyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingStearyl Palmitate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCetyl Palmitate
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBehenic Acid
CleansingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingArachidic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cera Alba, Pvp, Paraffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylene Brassylate, Stearyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Stearyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Cetyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopherol, Cetyl Stearate, Sodium Stearate, C11-15 Pareth-7, Behenic Acid, Cera Microcristallina, Arachidic Acid, Palmitic Acid, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientNylon-6
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSimethicone
EmollientMethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-21
CleansingPolysorbate 65
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHectorite
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Stearate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Stearic Acid, Ceresin, Synthetic Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Nylon-6, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Simethicone, Methylcellulose, Pvp, Laureth-21, Polysorbate 65, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 77510, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Aminomethyl Propanediol yet.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateButylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for C18-36 Acid Triglyceride yet.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Glyceryl 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 StearateHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium Dehydroacetate is a synthetic preservative and sodium salt form of dehydroacetic acid. It stops bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your products at low concentrations.
Clinical testing found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing. It's also not significantly absorbed through skin.
There are a very small number of reported cases of contact dermatitis in cases linked to wound-care creams used over compromised skin (rather than skincare).
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-risk preservative just doing its job.
Typical concentrations run up to 0.6%, which is also the maximum amount permitted under both EU CosIng regulations and US FDA guidelines.
Learn more about Sodium DehydroacetateSodium stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid.
The structure of sodium stearate makes it both a cleanser and emulsifier. As a cleanser, it helps dissolve dirt, oil, and other pollutants. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This adds stability to the formula.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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