What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Wax, Butylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearate
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOleth-20
CleansingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Calcium Alginate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPterocarpus Marsupium Bark/Wood Extract
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Stearate, Xylitol, Mica, Oleth-20, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Caffeine, Hyaluronic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Inulin, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium PCA, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Calcium Alginate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark/Wood Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
