What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Succinic Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose Polystearate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Succinic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sucrose Polystearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trehalose, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-14 Pareth-12, Carbomer, Tromethamine, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tranexamic Acid, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
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
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
