What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
