What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Colloidal Silver
AntimicrobialDimethyl Sulfone
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Water
Masking
Caprylyl Glucoside
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSd Alcohol 40
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentOleic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Carbonate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Carrageenan
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Colloidal Silver, Dimethyl Sulfone, Benzyl Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Caprylyl Glucoside, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Sd Alcohol 40, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Propolis Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Glycolic Acid, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Magnesium Carbonate, Oleic Acid, Potassium Carbonate, Silica, Carrageenan, Hydroxyethylcellulose
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Caprylyl Glucoside
CleansingSea Water
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Potassium Carbonate
BufferingMagnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentOleic Acid
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Caprylyl Glucoside, Sea Water, Dimethyl Sulfone, Pantothenic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Silica, Potassium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Oleic Acid, Chondrus Crispus, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Caprylyl Glucoside yet.
Dimethyl Sulfone is an organic compound that naturally contains sulfur. It is used as a solvent due to its stability. Solvents help mix and stabilize other ingredients.
Studies show taking Dimethyl Sulfone (also known as methylsulfonylmethane or MSM) orally may help reduce the depth of wrinkles. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns about this ingredient.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterMagnesium carbonate is a mineral as an oil and moisture absorber and bulking agent. It is not very reactive on skin and considered low risk for irritation.
Oleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid that can be found naturally in your skin's sebum and in many plant oils such as avocado and olive oil.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and prevent moisture loss.
Research shows:
A 1998 study did find that applying oleic acid at higher concentrations may cause irritation and disrupt the skin barrier. Modern formulations typically use low levels that is well-tolerated.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Oleic Acid, at C18, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Oleic AcidWe don't have a description for Potassium Carbonate yet.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Dehydroacetate is a synthetic preservative and sodium salt form of dehydroacetic acid. It stops bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your products at low concentrations.
Clinical testing found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing. It's also not significantly absorbed through skin.
There are a very small number of reported cases of contact dermatitis in cases linked to wound-care creams used over compromised skin (rather than skincare).
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-risk preservative just doing its job.
Typical concentrations run up to 0.6%, which is also the maximum amount permitted under both EU CosIng regulations and US FDA guidelines.
Learn more about Sodium DehydroacetateWater. 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
