What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol 0.1%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRaffinose
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBHA
AntioxidantMyristic Acid
CleansingTranexamic Acid
AstringentPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCollagen
MoisturisingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Retinal
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPhloretin
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, BHT, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steareth-21, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Steareth-2, Isohexadecane, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Retinol 0.1%, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycosyl Trehalose, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Laureth-7, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Adenosine, Raffinose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, BHA, Myristic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Collagen, Madecassic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Asiaticoside, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Asiatic Acid, Glutathione, Retinal, Madecassoside, Sodium Phosphate, Ferulic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tetrahydropiperine, Phloretin, Arginine, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLactose
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningYogurt Powder
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingBulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTribehenin
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, PEG-8, Dimethicone, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lactose, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Yogurt Powder, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vegetable Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Milk Protein, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Carbomer, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate, Sodium Glycolate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 ParfumPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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