What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Lactococcus Ferment, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Allantoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trilaurin
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Colloidal Platinum
Antimicrobial
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDecapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Tryptophan
MaskingSerine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantMannose
HumectantAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlucose
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
C9-12 Alkane
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChitosan
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Chloride
Calcium Pantothenate
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Rose Flower Oil/Extract
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trilaurin, Cellulose, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lauroyl Lysine, Oryza Sativa Starch, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Soluble Collagen, Colloidal Platinum, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Decapeptide-4, Oligopeptide-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Glycine, Tryptophan, Serine, Histidine, Cysteine, Folic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Mannose, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glucose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Xanthan Gum, Chitosan, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Triheptanoin, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Raspberry Ketone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Terpineol, Rose Flower Oil/Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 60730
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium 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
