What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Linseed Seed
HumectantCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantErythritol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycine
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Propanediol, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Proline, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Linseed Seed, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dipropylene Glycol, Erythritol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Glycine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lactate, Triheptanoin, Xanthan Gum
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingWater
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMaris Aqua
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hydrolyzed Pinus Sibirica Seedcake Extract
Skin ConditioningGigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Nitrate
SoothingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Alaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPalmaria Palmata Extract, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Maris Aqua, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Benzoic Acid, Hydrolyzed Pinus Sibirica Seedcake Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Nitrate, Xanthan Gum, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Hydrated Silica, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 StearatePotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateWater. 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 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
