What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantMalva Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil, Hydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil Unsaponifiables, Lauryl Glucoside, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Parfum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Coumarin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Ubiquinone, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCetearyl 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 AlcoholChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilTocopherol 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