What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-Crosspolymer
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vinegar
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingArtemisia Annua Extract
Masking
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolylysine
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
PCA
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Myristyl Alcohol, Water, Steartrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Parfum, Triethylhexanoin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Maltodextrin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Inulin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, PEG-Crosspolymer, Biotin, Caffeine, Pentylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vinegar, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Aspartic Acid, Dextrin, Polylysine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, PCA, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Serine, Valine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Trideceth-10
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningInula Britannica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Trideceth-10, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Glycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Inula Britannica Flower Extract, Lysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
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
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractWater. 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
