What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingWater, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Arginine, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Sorbitol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientCyrtopodium Cardiochilum Pseudobulb Extract
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-10
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningWater, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Lactate, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Cyrtopodium Cardiochilum Pseudobulb Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-5, Sh-Polypeptide-9
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol 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