What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PEG-8
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium PCA
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Poloxamer 407, Chlorphenesin, PEG-8, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Salicylic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Hexylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Xylitylglucoside, Propylene Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Bisabolol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidPEG-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.
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
