What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
C12-14 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Vinyldimethicone
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Phytate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glutathione
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Methicone, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, C12-14 Isoparaffin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Sodium Phytate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glutathione, Lactobionic Acid, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Betaine, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyquaternium-51, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeWater. 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
