What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Ceramide AP, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Root Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Linalool, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Root Extract, Tocopherol
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
