What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Va Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Nylon-12
Cetearyl Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Cellulose
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Babassu Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Ethylene/Va Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Nylon-12, Cetearyl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Silica, Hydrated Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Synthetic Wax, Cellulose, Dimethicone, Babassu Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Sodium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Olivate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Paraffin
Perfuming
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Laureth-21
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Water, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cellulose, Sorbitan Olivate, Paraffin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polysorbate 20, Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate, CI 77891, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tromethamine, Silica, Laureth-21, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethicone, Arachidic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Panthenol, Urea, Disodium Phosphate, Biotin, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseDimethicone 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 Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster and mild chelating agent. It basically holds a specific pH and binds stray metal ions so your product stays stable.
This ingredient is usually used at very low levels and concentrations range from 0.000054% - 2.9%. The CIR Expert Panel states this ingredient to be non-irritating at current use levels.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSilica, 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 SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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
