What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialHonokiol
AntioxidantMagnolol
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingJojoba Alcohol
EmollientOlive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientPotassium Jojobate
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingPhenylpropanol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Stearate
SurfactantCeteth-20
CleansingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyurethane-35
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Diglycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Niacinamide, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Isododecane, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Tetrapeptide-21, Tetrapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Bakuchiol, Honokiol, Magnolol, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Parfum, Glycolic Acid, Jojoba Alcohol, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Potassium Jojobate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Steareth-20, Phenylpropanol, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-75 Stearate, Ceteth-20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyurethane-35, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingLimonene
PerfumingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantGeraniol
PerfumingCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingDarutoside
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Poloxamer 338, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Limonene, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Ceramide NP, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Citronellol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 16035, Geraniol, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Citral, Darutoside, CI 42090, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl 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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water