What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytic Acid
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingWater, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Tocopherol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Phytic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Glycine
CleansingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingMethyl Decenol
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethyl Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Ethoxydiglycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Isostearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Glycine, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Dimethiconol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, PEG-40 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Ammonium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylene Brassylate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Methyl Decenol, Caramel, CI 19140
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater. 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
