What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Pinus Sylvestris Bark Extract
Perfuming
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Odorata Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Calamine, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Panthenol, Allantoin, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Propanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bark Extract, Papain, Gluconolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Asiaticoside, Tocopherol, Asiatic Acid, Kojic Acid, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Viola Odorata Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Calamine
AbsorbentCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Camphor
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Calamine, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Zinc Oxide, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glycolic Acid, Camphor, Salicylic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCalamine is a "pink powder" that is used to calm itchy or irritated skin. In official medical standards, calamine is basically almost all zinc oxide with a tiny bit of iron oxide added for the pink color.
Lab testing requires that it’s at least 98% zinc oxide, which just means it has to be very pure and mostly zinc oxide.
In skincare, calamine can help relieve itches, calm skin, and absorb excess moisture/oil. This is why you'll often see it used for oozing rashes. Calamine is approved as a skin protectant active at 1-25% in US OTC drug products.
A big part of calamine's soothing effect comes from zinc oxide's protective properties. Since calamine can absorb excess moisture/oil, it might be drying for already dry skin types.
A review of topical medicament allergies notes that contact dermatitis from calamine isn't typically reported, but added actives in a formulation are known sensitizers.
Learn more about CalamineCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
