What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Amodimethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Gelatin
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Ceramide NP, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Gelatin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Steartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Aroma
Water, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gamma-Docosalactone, Glycerin, Steartrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Aroma
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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
