What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Aroma
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Succinic Acid, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Aroma, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 19140, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, CI 77891, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrated Silica, Volcanic Ash, Disodium Phosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glucose, Silica, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-10
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSalicylic 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, itâs 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
