What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-55
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Threonine
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-55, Phenethyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aspergillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Yeast Amino Acids, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Wheat Amino Acids, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Arginine Hcl, Serine, Threonine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-34
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicMelatonin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-55
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Betaine, Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-34, Phytosterols, Biotin, Melatonin, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyquaternium-55, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-55 yet.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
