What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Echinacea Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Xanthan Gum, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol Denat., Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Caramel, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Echinacea Angustifolia Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dextran
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Polyglutamic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Carrageenan, Bacillus Ferment, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Maris Sal
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 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
