What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Benzophenone-5
UV Absorber
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Sorbitan Olivate, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Benzophenone-5, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, CI 42090, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Xylitol
Humectant
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Xylitol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xylitylglucoside, Laureth-7, Anhydroxylitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glutamic Acid, Glycoproteins, Ceramide NP, Threonine, Valine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alcohol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, 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.
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 AlcoholAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
