What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Olivate
Arginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingVinyldimethicone
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantArachidic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantOleic Acid
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSqualane
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Arginine, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Olivate, Vinyldimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Arachidic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Malt Extract, Glycerin, Oleic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Citric Acid, Squalane
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSucrose
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sucrose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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. 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