What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientParaffin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientNylon-12
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningMethylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-6 Isostearate
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingMethylparaben
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylparaben
PreservativeMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantPentasodium Pentetate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHesperetin Laurate
AntioxidantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingChrysin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Nylon-12, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, PEG-6 Isostearate, Triethanolamine, Sodium Citrate, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Caffeine, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylparaben, Menthoxypropanediol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Pentasodium Pentetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Hesperetin Laurate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Chrysin
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolysilicone-11
Dimethicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Succinate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPtfe
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Linalool
PerfumingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGeraniol
PerfumingBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingMethionine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlycine
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, CI 77891, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Mica, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Yeast Extract, Ptfe, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Arginine, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Silica, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Boron Nitride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Geraniol, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Citronellol, Methionine, Potassium Sorbate, Glycine, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It works as a thickener, emulsifier, and texture enhancer that gives gel-creams a silky, lightweight feel.
This ingredient is versatile and low-maintenance so manufacturers love working with it.
Typical usage levels in cosmetics are usually low and in the range of 0.015 - 2.3%.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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