What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch
Glyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolyacrylate-21
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientC11-15 Pareth-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeNitrogen
Water, Polyester-5, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Troxerutin, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Zinc PCA, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyacrylate-21, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Medicago Sativa Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Cholesterol, C11-15 Pareth-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Potassium Sorbate, Nitrogen
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlumina
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventTin Oxide
AbrasiveMethylpropanediol
SolventSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Sieboldii Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pvp, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Alumina, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Tin Oxide, Methylpropanediol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ceramide EOP, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Magnolia Sieboldii Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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