What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Laureth-21
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Pvp, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Laureth-21, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Kaolin
Abrasive
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cera Alba
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Vp/Va Copolymer
Nylon-66
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Kaolin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Cera Alba, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Bentonite, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sucrose Distearate, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Simethicone, Vp/Va Copolymer, Nylon-66, Tocopherol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 75470, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, CI 77288, CI 77742, CI 77289
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 AlcoholAminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
This ingredient comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This ingredient is used to thicken texture and leaves behind a film when applied.
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.
Sodium Dehydroacetate is a synthetic preservative and sodium salt form of dehydroacetic acid. It stops bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your products at low concentrations.
Clinical testing found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing. It's also not significantly absorbed through skin.
There are a very small number of reported cases of contact dermatitis in cases linked to wound-care creams used over compromised skin (rather than skincare).
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-risk preservative just doing its job.
Typical concentrations run up to 0.6%, which is also the maximum amount permitted under both EU CosIng regulations and US FDA guidelines.
Learn more about Sodium DehydroacetateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
