What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Galactoarabinan
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake
Skin ProtectingCymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Linalool
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cistus Ladaniferus Resin
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Cistus Ladaniferus Oil
Emollient
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citral
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Galactoarabinan, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sclerotium Gum, Limonene, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Geraniol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phytic Acid, Linalool, Caprylyl Glycol, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Parfum, Cistus Ladaniferus Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citral, Farnesol, Citronellol, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
