What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isohexadecane, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Dimethiconol, Allantoin, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-150 Distearate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientHeptyl Glucoside
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTurtle Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Heptyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Turtle Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Copolymer yet.
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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water