What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMucor Miehei Extract
AstringentIsohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLigustrum Lucidum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Hexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mucor Miehei Extract, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Cellulose Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Citric Acid, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ligustrum Lucidum Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1, Phytic Acid, Hexapeptide-9, CI 77163
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAcetamidoethoxyethanol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Menthyl Lactate, Resveratrol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Diamond Powder, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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