What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Silica
Abrasive
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, 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 Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 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 and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerGlycerin 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
