What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-60
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Water, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Alcohol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
4-Terpineol
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDenatonium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, 4-Terpineol, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Denatonium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropylene 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 GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
