What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantMannitol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientSpilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Mannitol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Ubiquinone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, CI 77007, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycolipids, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMannitol
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingOligopeptide-68
BleachingSodium Oleate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBeetroot Red
Beta Vulgaris Root Powder
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77489
Cosmetic ColorantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Mannitol, Cellulose, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oligopeptide-68, Sodium Oleate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Beetroot Red, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder, Citric Acid, CI 77489, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneWater. 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