What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingCholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Lecithin
EmollientFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Cholesteryl Chloride, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Alpha-Arbutin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Citric Acid, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Glutathione, Lecithin, Ferulic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polysorbate 20, PEG-35 Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningActinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Agar
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGellan Gum
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14720
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Cyclopentasiloxane, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Adenosine, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Agar, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Gellan Gum, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Squalane, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 19140, CI 14720
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 EDTAParfum 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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