What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycereth-26
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVinegar
Menthol
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract
AntioxidantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCymbopogon Citratus Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialErythritol
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentMentha Viridis Leaf Extract
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycereth-26, Propanediol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Glycerin, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vinegar, Menthol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Erythritol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsopentyldiol
HumectantVinegar
Butylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingErythritol
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Lactate
BufferingMenthol
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantLimonene
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Isopentyldiol, Vinegar, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Erythritol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructan, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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 preservatives
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Disodium 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 EDTAYou might know this ingredient as a sugar substitute in foods. It is a sugar alcohol with humectant properties.
Humectants attract water to your skin (like glycerin or hyaluronic acid).
Fun fact: Erythritol can be naturally found in some fermented foods.
Learn more about ErythritolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholSodium 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 BenzoateIn cosmetics, vinegar is often used to help adjust the pH of a product. It is also a light exfoliant. The pH of your skin is important to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Vinegar is created by the process of double-fermentation. It is an aqueous solution consisting mostly of water and acetic acid. Typically, vinegar contains anywhere from 5-8% acetic acid.
Other components include small amounts of contains small amounts of tartaric acid and citric acid. Depending on what is used to ferment the vinegar, it can have traces of flavoring as well.
Learn more about VinegarWater. 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