What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Panthenol, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Glycosphingolipids, Tocopherol, Ectoin, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Aminopropanediol
BufferingCeteareth-33
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ceteth-20
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-75 Stearate
Steareth-20
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Polyester-7, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Aminopropanediol, Ceteareth-33, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Oleyl Alcohol, Phytosterols, Anhydroxylitol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
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 CopolymerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexyl Stearate mainly acts as an emollient that also helps reduce the greasiness of oils in a formula. As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in.
Because Ethylhexyl Stearate contains a C18 fatty acid chain, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on C11-C24 fatty acids. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl StearateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneWater. 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
