What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminometasilicate
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Silicate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Laurate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-150 Distearate, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
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 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
