What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
CI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentOnsen-Sui
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Bentonite, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Volcanic Ash, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Onsen-Sui, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Madecassoside, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Succinic Acid
BufferingLactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingBetaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Succinic Acid, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Betaine Salicylate, Glycolipids, Gluconolactone, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Mineral Salts, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 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 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
