What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponins
CleansingMenthol
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Saponins, Menthol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Allantoin, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Arginine, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantWater, Lauryl Betaine, Glycerin, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside
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 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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