What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Unsaponifiables
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Human Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSteareth-20
CleansingPolyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Olea Europaea Fruit Unsaponifiables, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Boron Nitride, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Human Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Steareth-20, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningProlinamidoethyl Imidazole
Skin ProtectingArginine
MaskingAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientFructose
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDextran
Glyceryl Behenate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Octastearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C13-15 Alkane, Squalane, Propanediol, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Prolinamidoethyl Imidazole, Arginine, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Gluconolactone, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Dextran, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Stearate
Reviews
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 AllantoinBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, 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 GlycerinThis oil comes from the outer layer (bran) of rice grains. It is packed with skin-friendly fatty acids to soften and condition the skin while supporting your moisture barrier.
What makes it stand out from other plant oils is its naturally high concentration of gamma-oryzanol, a potent antioxidant. This antioxidant has shown some UV-absorptive properties in research.
Other antioxidants found in this oil include tocopherols, tocotrienols, and ferulic acid.
According to manufacturers, this oil has a lightweight texture that absorbs nicely.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics and it has not shown to be a skin sensitizer in testing (unless you have a known rice allergy).
Due to the fatty acids (primarily Oleic Acid ~40%, Linoleic Acid ~30%, and some Palmitic Acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran OilPotassium 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 SorbateTocopherol 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