What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantBatyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTheanine
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Trehalose
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingGlucosamine Hcl
Glycine
Buffering
Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Uncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Pyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diglycerin, Silica, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Beheneth-20, Mica, Batyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Maltitol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Theanine, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopherol, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Glycine, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Isostearic Acid, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Betaine, Arbutin, Trehalose, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 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
