What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tapioca Starch
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlumina
Abrasive
Water, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Decylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Alumina
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glyceryl 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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
