What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Water, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Nylon-12, Silica, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carbomer, Glycerin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Hydroxyacetophenone, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium DNA
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyether-1
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Water, Honey Extract, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyether-1, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitrateHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSilica, 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
