What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Citric Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Bisabolol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-39
Butylene Glycol
HumectantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Triethanolamine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-39, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Glycolic Acid, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Faex Extract, Niacinamide, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Methylparaben, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caffeine, Propylparaben, Biotin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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