What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCI 52015
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Ipdi
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7
HumectantPEG-45/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Magnesium Sulfate
Glycerin
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Heptyl Undecylenate, CI 52015, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Silica, Bis-Ipdi, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG-7, PEG-45/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Glucose, Glyceryl Behenate, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Succinoglycan, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Polyquaternium-51
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Methylpropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Glutamylamidoethyl Indole
Skin ProtectingPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Borage Seed Oil Aminopropanediol Amides
Skin Conditioning
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Oxide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Panthenol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Methylpropanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Copper Gluconate, Propanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, Glutamylamidoethyl Indole, Polyquaternium-61, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Borage Seed Oil Aminopropanediol Amides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
