What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Dextrin
AbsorbentMagnesium Chloride
Mannitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Panthenol, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Adenosine, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Cyanocobalamin, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Niacinamide, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Betaine, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Tromethamine, Zea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Kaolin, Dextrin, Magnesium Chloride, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trehalose, Volcanic Ash, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Bentonite, Zinc Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Kaolin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Pvp, Dextrin, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDextrin is a starch-derived polysaccharide. It's made by partially breaking down corn, potato, or other plant starches.
Think of it as "half-processed" starch; it's less complex than the original but not fully broken down into sugar like maltodextrin.
In cosmetics, it mainly functions as a bulking agent, viscosity controller, binder, and absorbent. It helps thicken products, stabilize powders, and get certain textures a less "wet" feel.
This ingredient has a pretty solid safety profile; it's recognized as a safe food additive and its large molecular size means it doesn't meaningfully penetrate skin.
Human repeat insult patch tests using a rinse-off facial product containing 42.69% dextrin found no skin irritation or sensitization in 54 subjects.
Typical real-world usage is much lower: usually under 1% as a texture modifier and up to 40% in masks (rinse off products use less).
Learn more about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinStearic 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 AcidTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
