What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantArginine
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Steareth-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-32, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Parfum, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, CI 15985, Sorbitan Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, CI 17200, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventSea Salt Extract
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningStearoyl Inulin
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSilanetriol
Limonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAlgae Extract
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Sea Salt Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phospholipids, Stearoyl Inulin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, CI 42090
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateSorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidWater. 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