What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTrehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Trehalose, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Disodium EDTA, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventPyrus Communis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tromethamine
BufferingBenzyl Glycol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Methylpropanediol, Pyrus Communis Flower Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Benzyl Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePolyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
