What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Pseudostellaria Heterophylla Extract
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica Silylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Retinol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Triolein, Pseudostellaria Heterophylla Extract, Tricaprylin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingUncaria Tomentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Potassium Phosphate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Uncaria Tomentosa Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglycerin-3, Cetyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
