What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingEmulsifying Wax Nf
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLanolin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantZinc
AntioxidantPCA
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Stearic Acid, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Betaine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Lanolin, Disodium EDTA, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Zinc, PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingEthyl Olivate
EmollientOlive Oil Ethylhexyl Esters
Propylene Glycol
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingRh-Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantWater, Lactic Acid, Ethyl Olivate, Olive Oil Ethylhexyl Esters, Propylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Rh-Rice Extract, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Xanthan Gum, Milk Protein, Chamomilla Vulgaris Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateImidazolidinyl Urea is a preservative and isn't fungal acne safe. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.
Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water