What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Urea
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantInulin
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters, PEG-8, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Inulin, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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