What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Paraffin
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Cera Alba
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Nylon-6/12
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Nylon-6
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingLaureth-30
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Pvp, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Arginine, Cera Alba, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Lauroyl Lysine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Nylon-6/12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Nylon-6, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Laureth-30, C11-15 Pareth-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Propylene Carbonate, Pantolactone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Tocopherol, Sodium Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polybutene
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Nitrate
SoothingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Synthetic Beeswax, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Palmitic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polybutene, Aminomethyl Propanol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Pvp, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77499
Reviews
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol 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.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateWe don't have a description for Vp/Eicosene Copolymer yet.
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 Water
