What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
PEG-100 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Pearl Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C14-22 Alcohols, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Juniperus Mexicana Wood Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
3-Hexenol
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sorbitol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Juniperus Mexicana Wood Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, Cyclamen Aldehyde, 3-Hexenol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Gamma-Undecalactone, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Octyldodecanol, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinWater. 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
