What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Myristate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Stearate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Palmitate
EmulsifyingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Heparin
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Potassium Myristate, Stearic Acid, Potassium Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristic Acid, Propanediol, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Palmitate, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitol, Potassium Benzoate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Allantoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Heparin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Olivate
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Sorbitol, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitan Olivate, Potassium Cocoate, Coconut Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Propanediol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinMyristic Acid, aka tetradecanoic acid, is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut oil and palm oil.
In skincare, it is an:
Research indicates that this ingredient posts a low risk of irritation and sensitization.
Since myristic acid is a C14 fatty acid, it falls within the range that Malassezia can metabolize, and therefore not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Myristic AcidPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate is an amino acid-based surfactant and cleaning agent. This ingredient can be derived from animals or plants. It may also be synthetically created from fatty acids of the coconut and glycine.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is a gentle surfactant. Surfactants help gather the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away. It is a mild cleanser and naturally produces foam.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolStearic 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
