What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Squalane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPolyacrylate-21
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientHydrolyzed Sericin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Laurate
Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium PCA
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarnitine
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Esters, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Retinol, Tocopherol, Myristyl Myristate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Polyacrylate-21, Boron Nitride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Coenzyme A, Caffeine, Chlorphenesin, Kojic Dipalmitate, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Phospholipids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristyl Laurate, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Carnitine, Tromethamine, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRhizobian Gum
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDisodium Rutinyl Disulfate
AntioxidantSorbitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTriethanolamine
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rhizobian Gum, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, Silica, Silica Silylate, Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disodium Rutinyl Disulfate, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Oleate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water