What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Laurylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Honey Extract
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 20, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Laurylpyridinium Chloride, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Honey Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Benzoic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientInositol
Humectant
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract
BleachingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantSericin
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Diisostearyl Malate, Behenyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Inositol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Beheneth-20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gold, Sericin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 60725
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
