What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycereth-26, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Parfum, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfite, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Propylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Betaine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene 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 GlycolWater. 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
