What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Isododecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Squalane
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat., Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isohexadecane
EmollientCeteareth-33
CleansingParfum
Masking
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Ledum Groenlandicum Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Ceteareth-33, Parfum, Behenic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Zinc Gluconate, Silica, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ledum Groenlandicum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Acacia Senegal Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceButylene 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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
