What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Acetate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glucosamine Hcl
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcetylated Lanolin Alcohol
Emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Oleate
CleansingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Decapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-24
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Jojoba Esters, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Acetate, Glycerin, Cetyl Dimethicone, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glucosamine Hcl, Mica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pisum Sativum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Oleate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Decapeptide-4, Oligopeptide-24, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Stearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrolyzed Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Pelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholCetyl 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 AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolThis ingredient also goes by the name SSL. It is a non-toxic, biodegradable ingredient made from renewable sources.
SSL is typically used as a surfactant and emulsifier in skincare to stabilize water-based formulas and improve texture. It can be synthetic or animal-derived.
Water. 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
