What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSqualene
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Origanum Majorana Leaf/Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Ribes Grossularia Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHexapeptide-48 Hcl
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingFructose
HumectantGlycine
BufferingUrea
BufferingInositol
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSea Water
HumectantHydrolyzed Algin
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientLecithin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSucrose
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Squalene, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Betaine, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Caprylyl Methicone, Stearic Acid, Caffeine, Saccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Origanum Majorana Leaf/Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Ribes Grossularia Fruit Ferment Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hexapeptide-48 Hcl, Niacinamide, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glycine, Urea, Inositol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sea Water, Hydrolyzed Algin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Arachidic Acid, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Poloxamer 338, Silica, Mica, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium Phosphate, Pvp, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Sucrose, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Lactate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingIsostearic Acid
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingPentaerythritol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Triheptanoin, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, C13-15 Alkane, Caffeine, Myristyl Lactate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Carbomer, Caramel, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, CI 77491, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Stearate, Pentaerythritol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Chloride
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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
Water. 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