What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-20
HumectantPEG/PPG-20/20 Phenylisopropyl Caprylyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74160
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, PEG-20, PEG/PPG-20/20 Phenylisopropyl Caprylyl Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, Triethanolamine, CI 19140, CI 74160
Water
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Azulene
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Menthyl Lactate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glucosyl Ceramide, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Azulene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, BHT, 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.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololC13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamidePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20We don't have a description for Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate yet.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
