What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingUrea
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Glycerin
Humectant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Urea, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Glycolate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycerin, Mentha Piperita Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetrimonium Bromide
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Potassium Chloride
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Allantoin, Cetrimonium Bromide, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Potassium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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, itβs 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 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
