What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucosamine Hcl
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeQuercus Petraea Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingLecithin
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Formate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glucosamine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycereth-26, Pisum Sativum Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Carbomer, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Quercus Petraea Fruit Extract, Collagen, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingMenthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-50
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingOenothera Biennis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Polyquaternium-10, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Panthenol, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Caffeine, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-50, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cetyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. The trade name for this ingredient is Leucidal.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltratePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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