What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Betaine, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Allantoin, Caffeine, CI 77491, CI 77499, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77492, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingC15-19 Alkane
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycolipids, Lecithin, Sodium Carrageenan, C15-19 Alkane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite, Triethanolamine, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, Parfum
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
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 AllantoinBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronatePentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
