What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantParaffin
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningOlus Oil
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Methylparaben
PreservativeSodium Propylparaben
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Paraffin, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Algin, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Palmitate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Olus Oil, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Methylparaben, Sodium Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCopper PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOligopeptide-10
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Xylitol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Salicylate, Copper PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oligopeptide-10, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol