What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Olivate
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Mannitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin
AbsorbentCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sorbitan Olivate, Propylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Titanium Dioxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Citric Acid, Retinal, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tromethamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Caramel, Dextrin, CI 16255, CI 19140, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Fructan
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
CI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Poria Cocos Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Dipeptide-2, Phenoxyethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Fructan, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Glucose, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Cholesterol, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oligopeptide-5, CI 16255, CI 15985
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.
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 preservatives
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolThis is a synthetic dye used to give a "strawberry" red color.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
