What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Homosalate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Octocrylene, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Gold, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-8, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Napus Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCananga Odorata Flower Extract
PerfumingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Sorbitan Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclomethicone, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Mentha Piperita Leaf Water, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Brassica Napus Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 StearatePeg-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.
Sorbitan Stearate comes from sorbitol and stearic acid. Sorbitol is a type of sugar and stearic acid is a fatty acid.
It is used as an emulsifier and helps ingredients stay together by creating water-in-oil emulsions.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Water. 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