What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Leaf Extract
AstringentRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAllyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Swertia Chirata Leaf Extract, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Stearyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Laureth-7, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSymphytum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Panax Ginseng Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (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 TocopherolWater. 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