What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingTartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Algae Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingUrea
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Charcoal Powder, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Algae Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Urea, Parfum, Linalool, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PEG-75
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cola Acuminata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Pantethine
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Rna
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oleth-3 Phosphate
SurfactantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Oleth-3
Emulsifying
Oleth-5
Emulsifying
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCholeth-24
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceteth-24
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Rna, Bisabolol, Glycereth-26, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Yeast Extract, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCi 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
