What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Vinyldimethicone
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Ceteareth-20
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
Steareth-100
Gel FormingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Pvp, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodeceth-16, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Ceteareth-20, Lecithin, Steareth-100, Hexylene Glycol
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 GlycolCitric 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
