What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Aspartate
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-60 Glyceryl Stearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-400, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Stearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-60 Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tranexamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Myristic Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytic Acid
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantUrea
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Myristic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Lauric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phytic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Pullulan, Potassium Phosphate
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 BHTButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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 BenzoateSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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