What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrated Silica
AbrasiveZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Coco-Glucoside, CI 77891, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, CI 77491, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Limonene
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Seedcake
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingPolygonum Fagopyrum Flour
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-67
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAsparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHyssopus Officinalis Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Seedcake, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coconut Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Polygonum Fagopyrum Flour, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-67, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Bakuchiol, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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 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