What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Acid, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Potassium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Arachidic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Myristic Acid, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oleic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Madecassoside
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingUndecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTridecane
Perfuming
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Trisodium EDTA
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Carnitine
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Serine, Triethylhexanoin, Undecane, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Tridecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Trisodium EDTA, Arachidyl Glucoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citric Acid, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Carnitine, Cholesterol, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
