What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Pinanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCamphanediol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Steareth-20
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Superoxide Dismutase, Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether, Quercetin, Pinanediol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Glycine Soja Protein, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Dipeptide-2, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Camphanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lecithin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Alcohol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, BHT, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Steareth-20, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Citrate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTrehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-7m
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-7m, Dextrin Palmitate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Carbomer, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 42090, CI 19140, 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.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
