What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Myristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Butylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Benzoate
MaskingActinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Succinate
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingThreonine
Valine
MaskingMyristic Acid, Glycerin, Water, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Niacinamide, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Allantoin, Kaolin, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate, Disodium Succinate, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Threonine, Valine
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientMaleated Soybean Oil Glyceryl/Octyldodecanol Esters
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-20
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantHaberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacrylate
StabilisingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingOligopeptide-68
BleachingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium Dioxide, Arachidyl Alcohol, Maleated Soybean Oil Glyceryl/Octyldodecanol Esters, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycereth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, BHT, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tranexamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Oligopeptide-68, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Oleate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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