What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoxiquine 5%
AntimicrobialResorcinol 2%
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingCholecalciferol
Lanolin Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsopropyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Sulfite
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Hedta
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentBenzoxiquine 5%, Resorcinol 2%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Zea Mays Oil, Cholecalciferol, Lanolin Alcohol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Stearate, Sodium Sulfite, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Hedta, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningEmu Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientAcrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer
MoisturisingPolysorbate 85
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCholecalciferol
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Alatum Fruit Extract
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantWater, Emu Oil, Glycerin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Paraffinum Liquidum, Acrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer, Polysorbate 85, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cholecalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Zanthoxylum Alatum Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Glucosamine Hcl, Blue 1 Lake, Triethanolamine, Oleyl Alcohol, Ethoxydiglycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenParaffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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 WaterCholecalciferol is also known as vitamin D3. It has skin conditioning properties.