What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Pvp, Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPCA
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Tromethamine, Sorbitol, Acrylates Copolymer, Panthenol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Propylene Glycol, PCA, Biotin, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Histidine, Phenylalanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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