What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Jojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRetinyl Retinoate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
SurfactantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSqualene
EmollientBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Squalane, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Retinoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Canola Oil, PEG-75 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Squalene, Beta-Sitosterol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499, Tin Oxide, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Dimethicone
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveSucrose Palmitate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-20 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPotassium Chloride
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCalcium Chloride
AstringentZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHaberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingInositol
HumectantCalcium Pantothenate
Retinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningRosa Moschata Seed Oil
EmollientAlanine
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningNiacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Parfum, CI 77891, Silica, Sucrose Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-20 Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium Chloride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Calcium Chloride, Zea Mays Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Citric Acid, Inositol, Calcium Pantothenate, Retinol, Sodium Phosphate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Soluble Collagen, Potassium Sorbate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Alanine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Biotin, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopherol, Coenzyme A, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Glucuronate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Thiamine Diphosphate, CI 17200, Retinyl Acetate, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCetyl 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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone 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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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