What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Laureth-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningBehenoxy Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Lysozyme
Skin ConditioningCocoyl Argininamide
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Mirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingBenzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Water, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Lysozyme, Cocoyl Argininamide, Polyacrylamide, Capryloyl Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cocoglycerides, Maltodextrin, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Beta-Glucan, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Tromethamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerC13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCyclopentasiloxane (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 DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideWater. 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
