What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Papain, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Palmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Bisulfite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Algin, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylparaben
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
PreservativeGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicGlycereth-26
HumectantHydrated Silica
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin, Carbomer, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Diazolidinyl Urea, Dimethicone, Ethoxydiglycol, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylparaben, Panthenol, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Water, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Ethylparaben, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Glycereth-26, Hydrated Silica, Kaolin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Oxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer 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 CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlyceryl 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 StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 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