What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-10
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingIsodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
MoisturisingDecapeptide-22
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-78
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide
Skin ConditioningZinc Palmitoyl Nonapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMannitol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Triheptanoin, Dicaprylyl Ether, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-10, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polystearate, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Alpha-Arbutin, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Decapeptide-22, Oligopeptide-78, Palmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide, Zinc Palmitoyl Nonapeptide-14, Parfum, Mannitol, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Eugenol, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Niacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polysilicone-11, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Decyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is below the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum