What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBehenyl Behenate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitol
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Behenyl Behenate, Glycerin, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Urea, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Sorbitol, Pantolactone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ubiquinone, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Oleate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDimethicone 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl 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
