What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNannochloropsis Oceanica Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Menthyl Lactate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Nannochloropsis Oceanica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Decyl Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sphingolipids, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Citrate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, CI 42090, CI 19140, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Taurine
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Baicalin
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Taurine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Baicalin, Pantolactone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbyl 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 PalmitateThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopheryl 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
