What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-8
HumectantMannitol
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-150
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxylated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingKluyveromyces Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantPotassium Chloride
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8, Mannitol, PEG-32, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-150, Parfum, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Linalool, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Kluyveromyces Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dna, Disodium Phosphate, CI 60730, BHT, Ergothioneine, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeteareth-20
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingSqualane
EmollientChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Parfum, Squalane, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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