What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Niacinamide, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAlgin
MaskingWater, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Myristyl Alcohol, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Myristyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Mannitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, CI 77492, Algin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopheryl 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