What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cola Nitida Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Koraiensis Seed Extract
Perfuming
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Cola Nitida Seed Extract, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Amino Acids
Abn Complex 20%
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Phytic Acid
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Threonine
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingHistidine
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Lysine
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminobutyric Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Leucine
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
Amino Acids, Abn Complex 20%, Retinol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Phytic Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salicylic Acid, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Arginine, Alanine, Proline, Valine, Histidine, Glycine, Lysine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminobutyric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Leucine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Benzoic Acid, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Citric Acid, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
