What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silybin
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHoney
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Octyldodecanol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Squalane, Steareth-21, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silybin, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Melatonin, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Butylene Glycol, Retinal, Tocopherol, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Honey Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Honey, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
Cleansing
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trehalose, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Carnosine, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lecithin, Retinol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Yeast Extract, Sarcosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Magnesium Aspartate, Potassium Aspartate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
