What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Surfactant
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Trehalose
Humectant
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingPEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Petrolatum
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Theanine
EmollientBatyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Uncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Tricaprylin, Trehalose, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Isostearic Acid, Behenic Acid, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Theanine, Batyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Polyquaternium-51, Parfum, Alcohol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Linalool, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Serine, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, CI 77491, CI 77492, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopherol, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Benzoic Acid, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Reviews
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
