What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingBatyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Trisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Uncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentCitronellol
Perfuming
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTrimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate
EmollientGeraniol
Perfuming
Cellulose
Absorbent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Tetradecene
EmollientEucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, PEG-400, Batyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Acetate, Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Polyquaternium-51, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, CI 77492, Tocopherol, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Sodium Metabisulfite, Triisostearin, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Citronellol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Geraniol, Cellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxyproline, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Methicone, Tetradecene, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ursolic Acid
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIlomastat
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Ceramide Ng, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Jojoba Esters, Soy Isoflavones, Phospholipids, Saccharide Isomerate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ursolic Acid, Adenosine, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tetrahydropiperine, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ilomastat, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 Water
