What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Squalane, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Ethylparaben, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 60, Methylparaben, Pvp, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Fullerenes
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSuccinic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Ethylhexylglycerin, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, 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.
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
