What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Propanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Olivoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
CleansingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Olivoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Oleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Isostearate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSorbitan 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 TocopherolWater. 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