What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAroma
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Panthenol, Aroma, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, CI 42090
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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