What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Isostearate
CleansingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingDarutoside
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePropanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cera Microcristallina, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, C9-12 Alkane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Fructose, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isostearate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Caffeine, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Diamond Powder, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phytosterols, Polyglutamic Acid, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Darutoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantTribehenin
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylparaben
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Panthenol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Methylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylparaben, Lactic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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