What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiethylhexyl Maleate
EmollientAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentGlucosamine Hcl
Citric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingYeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Maleate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Limonene, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Zea Mays Starch, Glucosamine Hcl, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Pisum Sativum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Yeast Polysaccharides, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingRosmarinyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaffeyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Cyclodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinal, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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