What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Alginate
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sulfur, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Propylene Glycol Alginate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, BHT, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Polyquaternium-51, Butyl Avocadate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Asiaticoside, Propylene Glycol, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventZinc PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentEDTA
Salicylic Acid
MaskingHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alpha-Arbutin, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Propanediol, Zinc PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Parfum, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
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 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropylene 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, 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 AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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