What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Sitosterol 0.5%
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Vinyldimethicone
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Water, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Octyldodecanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol 0.5%, Squalane, Vinyldimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phytosterols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Adenosine, Cetearyl Olivate, Citric Acid, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Phytate, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglycerin-3, Butylene Glycol, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nonapeptide-1, Carnosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Yeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Myrtus Communis Extract
AstringentTropaeolum Majus Extract
AntimicrobialTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Beeswax, Sorbitan Stearate, Cellulose Gum, Ceramide NP, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Parfum, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Copper Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Myrtus Communis Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis 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 ButterCopper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Water. 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
