What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Silica
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Collagen
Moisturising
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Candelilla Cera, Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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
