What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicInula Britannica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelothria Heterophylla Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Rapeseed Glycerides
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-8
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Squalane, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Inula Britannica Flower Extract, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Glycerides, Laureth-7, PEG-8, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Stearate, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSucrose Polycottonseedate
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMethylparaben
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
PEG-100 Stearate
Stearic Acid
CleansingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Isohexadecane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Stearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sodium Hydroxide
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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamidePropylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water