What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventMenthol
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningClimbazole
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPueraria Mirifica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Coreanus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Parfum, Methylpropanediol, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Panthenol, Climbazole, Glyceryl Caprylate, Allantoin, Pueraria Mirifica Root Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Rubus Coreanus Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingClimbazole
AntimicrobialPiroctone Olamine
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentMaltose
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
PerfumingCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningInula Britannica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caffeine, Sodium Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, Trideceth-10, Betaine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Climbazole, Piroctone Olamine, Panthenol, Dextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Cyclodextrin, Maltose, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Glucose, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Dna, Inula Britannica Flower Extract, Lysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
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
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolClimbazole is a preservative.
Disodium 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 EDTAHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol 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 PanthenolPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilSalicylic 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, it’s 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