What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG/PPG-20/20 Phenylisopropyl Caprylyl Dimethicone
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialLactobionic Acid
BufferingBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC9-14 Isoparaffin
SolventLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, PEG/PPG-20/20 Phenylisopropyl Caprylyl Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Hexylresorcinol, Lactobionic Acid, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, C9-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Stearate, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, CI 42090, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-29
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingPEG-100
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBHT
AntioxidantSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-29, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, PEG-100, Caffeine, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Trehalose, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Retinyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Retinol, Propanediol, BHT, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
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 BisabololC12-15 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 BenzoateCetearyl 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 AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 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 StearateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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