What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Sorbitan Stearate, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Atelocollagen
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingHibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
MaskingTillandsia Usneoides Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Squalane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Tillandsia Usneoides Extract, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dextrin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Palmitic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Pvp, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWater. 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