What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientLauryl Betaine
CleansingTrehalose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycine
Buffering
Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Surfactant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientTheanine
EmollientPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Glucosamine Hcl
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Silica, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lauryl Betaine, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycine, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Mica, Isostearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Batyl Alcohol, Theanine, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopherol, BHT, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Methicone
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75130
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Nylon-12, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Inositol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron Nitride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Laureth-7, Benzyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Hexyldecanol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Tocopherol, Zea Mays Oil, Methicone, CI 77492, CI 75130
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 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate yet.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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
