What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPolyester-5
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCollybia Mushroom Extract
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Polyester-5, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Zinc PCA, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Polygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Collybia Mushroom Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyester-5
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Persica Resin Extract
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Scabra Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyester-5, Panthenol, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Ectoin, Sodium Bisulfite, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Persica Resin Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Gentiana Scabra Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Hydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWe don't have a description for Polyester-5 yet.
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 Water