What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Undecane
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Undecane, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Tridecane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Maltodextrin, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Pantolactone, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dna
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Silanetriol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Silica
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glycerin, Squalane, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Caffeine, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Glycolic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Silanetriol, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Glycine, Fructose, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Urea, Silica, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Citric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
