What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Xylitol
Humectant
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Xylitol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xylitylglucoside, Laureth-7, Anhydroxylitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glutamic Acid, Glycoproteins, Ceramide NP, Threonine, Valine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alcohol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Iron Oxides
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientEthylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Chromium Oxide Greens
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Sodium Glycerophosphate
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientPotassium Magnesium Aspartate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Magnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Beeswax, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Diglycerin, Iron Oxides, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Isododecane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Chromium Oxide Greens, Triethyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Alcohol, Asiaticoside, Adenosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Boron Nitride, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Madecassoside, Magnesium Gluconate, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeWater. 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
