What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
Perfuming
Nitrocellulose
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingDiacetone Alcohol
MaskingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Hexanal
MaskingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphoric Acid
BufferingMannitol
Humectant
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
N-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Diacetone Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Hexanal, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Phosphoric Acid, Mannitol, Diatomaceous Earth, Zinc Sulfate, N-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 73360, CI 15850, CI 77510, CI 12085
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
Perfuming
Nitrocellulose
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingDiacetone Alcohol
MaskingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Hexanal
MaskingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphoric Acid
BufferingMannitol
Humectant
Solum Diatomeae
Abrasive
Kaolin
Abrasive
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
N-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15880
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Diacetone Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Hexanal, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Phosphoric Acid, Mannitol, Solum Diatomeae, Kaolin, Zinc Sulfate, N-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 77742, CI 15880, CI 19140, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer yet.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholWe don't have a description for Butyl Acetate yet.
Ci 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891We don't have a description for Diacetone Alcohol yet.
Ethyl Acetate is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Hexanal yet.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract yet.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolN-Butyl Alcohol is a fragrance and is an alcohol.
We don't have a description for Nitrocellulose yet.
Phosphoric acid is used to adjust the pH of products.
Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidWe don't have a description for Stearalkonium Bentonite yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolZinc Sulfate has antimicrobial and astringent properties. It is created synthetically from zinc and sulfuric acid.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, zinc sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties.
