What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRaphanus Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingMucor Miehei Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePalmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantMyristoyl Tripeptide-31
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCapryloyl Pentapeptide-26
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Bakuchiol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Raphanus Sativus Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glycine Soja Extract, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Mucor Miehei Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Myristoyl Tripeptide-31, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Pentapeptide-26
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Glucoside
HumectantBis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSh-Polypeptide-7
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethiconol
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlucosamine Hcl
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingProtease
ExfoliatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Ascorbyl Glucoside, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sh-Polypeptide-7, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Tocotrienols, Pisum Sativum Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Protease, Sodium Hydroxide, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAmmonium 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 CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideThis ingredient is also known as African Palm Oil. It is a plant-based emollient that is slightly occlusive leaning.
As an emollient, it helps moisturize the skin and supports the lipid barrier. Clinical testing found it improved skin hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and increased skin elasticity.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has assessed the available safety data and found it to safe in cosmetics.
The comedogenic rating of 2/5 means it is low-to-moderate risk of pore clogging; please remember comedogenic ratings cannot predict how the overall formula will behave on skin.
Because its dominant fatty acids (palmitic and oleic acid) fall within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can use as a growth substrate, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Elaeis Guineensis OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 StearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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