What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingZinc PCA
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingUrsolic Acid
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Lactic Acid, Zinc PCA, Acetyl Glucosamine, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Ursolic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientTapioca Starch
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBisabolol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Polysilicone-11
Polydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientPullulan
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Niacinamide
SmoothingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Polyisobutene, Polysilicone-11, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 17200
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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.
Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.
As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.
Learn more about Lactobacillus FermentPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideTrehalose 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. 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