What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Heparan Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Heparan Sulfate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningTribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Lecithin
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Boswellia Serrata Gum
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Niacin
SmoothingCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylamide
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Hydrochloric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Farnesol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Titanium Dioxide, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silybum Marianum Extract, Azelaic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Tranexamic Acid, Niacin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Panthenol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Mica, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Cholate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Laureth-7, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Hydrochloric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol
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 CrosspolymerCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Water
