What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Pullulan
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPCA Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Pullulan, Stearic Acid, CI 77891, Microcrystalline Cellulose, PCA Glyceryl Oleate, Zea Mays Starch, CI 77492, Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, CI 77499, CI 77491, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Dextrin Isostearate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Propanediol
Solvent
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingRhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Dextrin Isostearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Propanediol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cellulose Gum, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Levulinate, Arginine, Glycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMicrocrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
