What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantUrea
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Acid
Myristyl Alcohol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Carbomer, Beeswax, Stearyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cholesterol
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingIsomerized Linoleic Acid
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMevalonolactone
HumectantHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantSerine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCholesteryl Macadamiate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cholesterol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristyl Alcohol, Arginine, Isomerized Linoleic Acid, Lauryl Alcohol, Decylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Mevalonolactone, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Linoleic Acid, Sodium PCA, Serine, Glycine, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Cholesteryl Macadamiate, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Glycosphingolipids
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinLauryl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol. It is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
Myristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. It is a white, waxy solid and insoluble in water.
As an emollient, it hydrates the skin by trapping moisture in.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholOleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid. It can be found in many plant oils such as avocado and marula oils.
This ingredient is used to enhance the texture of products and as a cleansing agent.
Oleic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Oleic AcidPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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 Water