What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingPropanediol
SolventDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLunaria Annua Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower
AntioxidantMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingLinalool
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingPolianthes Tuberosa Flower Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Flower Oil
PerfumingCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingMyrocarpus Fastigiatus Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Steareth-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Steareth-21, Propanediol, Diheptyl Succinate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Lunaria Annua Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Limonene, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Eugenol, Linalool, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Polianthes Tuberosa Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Myrocarpus Fastigiatus Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingIsosorbide Disunflowerseedate
HumectantIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Polyisobutene
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Squalane, Glycerin, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Isosorbide Disunflowerseedate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum