What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Sh-Polypedtide-7
Skin ConditioningNiacin
SmoothingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Diacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrochloric Acid
BufferingBHA
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lecithin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tranexamic Acid, Retinol, Retinal, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Nicotiana Benthamiana Sh-Polypedtide-7, Niacin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Diacetyl Boldine, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Bakuchiol, Azelaic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 4-Butylresorcinol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Sodium Cholate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Isoceteth-10, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Hydrochloric Acid, BHA, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Potassium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantFraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Silanetriol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingAcer Rubrum Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycolic Acid, Tin Oxide, Lactic Acid, Silanetriol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Acer Rubrum Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, CI 77891, CI 77288
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol (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 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 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
