What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Anthyllis Vulneraria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Quaternium-73
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20 Stearate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Anthyllis Vulneraria Flower Extract, Farnesol, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Quaternium-73, Ethylhexylglycerin, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Silicate
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Xanthan Gum, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Calcium Silicate, Sodium Silicate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Biotin, Caramel
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinArtemisia Vulgaris Extract is more commonly known as the common mugwort. It has strong antioxidant properties and helps soothe irritation.
Antioxidants protect skin from damage and the signs of aging.
This plant contains the compounds saponins, glycosides, flavanoids, protein, triterpenoids.
The common wugwort has been used in traditional Indian, Chinese, and European medicines to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Learn more about Artemisia Vulgaris ExtractButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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.
Salicylic 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, it’s 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
