What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsopentyldiol
HumectantVinegar
Butylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingErythritol
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Lactate
BufferingMenthol
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantLimonene
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Isopentyldiol, Vinegar, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Erythritol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructan, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningInula Britannica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Trideceth-10, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Glycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Inula Britannica Flower Extract, Lysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilViola Mandshurica Flower Extract is an antioxidant.
Water. 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