What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingDisodium EDTA
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 77492, CI 77288, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77007, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningRice Ferment Lees
HumectantHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycosphingolipids
EmollientCitrus Junos Extract
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMomordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIsomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Polyacrylate
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Rice Ferment Lees, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycosphingolipids, Citrus Junos Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lysolecithin, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Arginine, Citric Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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