What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pvp, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Poloxamer 407, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Oleoyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Oleate
CleansingMenthol
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Oleoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Oleate, Menthol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Beta-Caryophyllene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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