What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGold
Cosmetic ColorantBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Gold, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Tin Oxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventSea Salt Extract
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningStearoyl Inulin
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSilanetriol
Limonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAlgae Extract
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Sea Salt Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phospholipids, Stearoyl Inulin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Algae Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, CI 42090
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 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 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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