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 ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycogen
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Glycogen, Sodium Gluconate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus Extract
Reviews
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 a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 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
