What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantVolcanic Ash
AbrasivePolyvinyl Alcohol
Bentonite
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPolyisobutene
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Trehalose, Volcanic Ash, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, CI 77499, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xanthan Gum, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sorbitan Stearate, Zea Mays Starch, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, CI 77492, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Polyisobutene, CI 77491, Menthoxypropanediol, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialArbutin
AntioxidantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyisobutene
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Myristic Acid
CleansingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantProtease
ExfoliatingCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningPEG-75
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol, Arbutin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Myristic Acid, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Protease, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Papain, PEG-75
Reviews
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 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 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilPolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateStearic 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 Water