What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Ascorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Panthenol, Behenyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Carnosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, CI 19140, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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