What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-32
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, PEG-32, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, Hydrated Silica, Lauryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Zea Mays Starch, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Volcanic Ash, Silica, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMannitol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Mannitol, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycolic Acid, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, CI 77007, CI 77891, CI 77120
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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinMannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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