What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Myristyl Nicotinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, CI 77891, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Carnosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Lactate, Glycine Soja Oil, Alumina, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Limonene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pantolactone, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Silica, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Linalool, Plankton Extract, Citral, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 42090
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sucrose
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polysorbate 40
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Algin
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentJojoba Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Jojobate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Potassium Sulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone, Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Sucrose, Petrolatum, Polysorbate 40, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Jojoba Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Isopropyl Jojobate, Jojoba Esters, Isohexadecane, Faex Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Cholesterol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Rna, Caffeine, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Squalane, Potassium Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tripeptide-32, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
