What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Caffeine, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, CI 42090, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Escin
TonicParfum
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Caprylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Xylitylglucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Escin, Parfum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Disodium EDTA, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Glucose, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, CI 42090, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
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 GlycolCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinWe don't have a description for Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Maris Sal yet.
We don't have a description for Marrubium Vulgare Extract yet.
Phenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
