What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
PEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Madecassoside, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV Absorber
Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Laureth-7, Beta-Glucan, Carbomer, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
