What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Bentonite
Absorbent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water
MaskingIndigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingIllite
Abrasive
Dextrin
AbsorbentHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMontmorillonite
AbsorbentMyosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Propanediol, Bentonite, Gluconolactone, Silica, Charcoal Powder, 1,2-Hexanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Algin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mandelic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Illite, Dextrin, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Montmorillonite, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Extensin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Geraniol
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
Perfuming
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Betaine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Geraniol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Citronellol, Hyaluronic Acid, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Linalool
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
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 AcidDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
