What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lecithin
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil
Emollient
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Gluten
HumectantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialCarrageenan
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Methylpropanediol
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Methyl Benzoate
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Squalane, Octyldodecanol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Alcohol, Lecithin, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Tocopheryl Acetate, Inulin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Viola Tricolor Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Triticum Vulgare Gluten, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Anisate, Carrageenan, Potassium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzoic Acid, Phenylpropanol, Methyl Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Mink Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Perfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningVinegar
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Myrtus Communis Extract
AstringentAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Poloxamer 188
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Magnesium Chloride
Tea-Lactate
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Mink Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Perfluorodecalin, Titanium Dioxide, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Cetyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Yeast Extract, Vinegar, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-20 Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Propylene Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Poloxamer 188, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Chloride, Tea-Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Alcohol, Sorbitol, Serine, Urea, Allantoin, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Thiamine Hcl, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sodium Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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
