What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingThymol
AntimicrobialTerpineol
MaskingPullulan
Lecithin
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantSea Salt
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycereth-26, Saccharide Isomerate, Hexylresorcinol, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Malic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Carrageenan, Thymol, Terpineol, Pullulan, Lecithin, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Tocopherol, Sea Salt, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Potassium 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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. 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