What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingMenthol
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
Humectant
Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Arginine, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Glycolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Panthenol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Sea Silt Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Menthol, Beta-Glucan, Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, CI 42090, Glucose, Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Vinyldimethicone
Isohexadecane
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Vinyldimethicone, Isohexadecane, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Reviews
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
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 StearateHydrogenated 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 PolydeceneHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80This long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSodium 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 Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
