What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
PEG-100
HumectantStearyl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, PEG-100, Stearyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Sophora Flavescens Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Laurocapram
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Borneol
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Sophora Flavescens Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Laurocapram, Menthyl Lactate, Borneol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer 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 CarbomerCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPropanediol 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 PropanediolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
