What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mucor Miehei Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Glucosamine Hcl
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Isohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Myristyl Nicotinate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Mucor Miehei Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Glucosamine Hcl, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Urea, Lecithin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 80, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-11, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Poloxamer 338, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Algae Extract
EmollientVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
Propylparaben
Preservative
Isobutylparaben
Antimicrobial
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMalonic Acid
BufferingMalachite
Skin ConditioningZinc Carbonate
Silica
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C13-15 Alkane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Dimethicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, Polyacrylamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Algae Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Malonic Acid, Malachite, Zinc Carbonate, Silica, Talc, Alumina, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCetyl 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.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, 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 SilicaStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
