What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventIsohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHexadecane
PerfumingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTetradecane
PerfumingArginine
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDodecane
PerfumingOctadecane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEicosane
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetate
BufferingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFullerenes
AntimicrobialCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hexadecane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Tetradecane, Arginine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dodecane, Octadecane, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Behenic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Pvp, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eicosane, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Myristic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Fullerenes, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingArtemisia Montana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Artemisia Montana Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool
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 (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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer 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.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitrateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated 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.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePolyglyceryl-3 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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