What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Cellulose
Absorbent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Behenyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Coconut Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Ceramide NP, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Sodium Acetate, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Sorbic Acid, Cellulose, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
