What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientSodium Lactate
Buffering
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPantolactone
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Kaolin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
