What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-7
Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Oleate, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Dipterocarpus Intricatus Extract
Antioxidant
Myroxylon Balsamum Balsam Oil
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Dipterocarpus Intricatus Extract, Myroxylon Balsamum Balsam Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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
