What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Algin
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Pareth-12, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Medicago Sativa Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolEthoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolGlycerin (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.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
