What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbon Dioxide
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Sodium Lauroyl Hydroxypropyl Sulfonate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbon Dioxide, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Lauroyl Hydroxypropyl Sulfonate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbon Dioxide
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbon Dioxide, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Carbon Dioxide yet.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
