What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Alginate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAgar
MaskingMica
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12490
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74160
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Azelaic Acid, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calcium Alginate, Xanthan Gum, Agar, Mica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 12490, CI 74160
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
