What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningManganese PCA
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningSea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Manganese PCA
HumectantPolylysine
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicNymphaea Caerulea Flower Water
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sea Silt Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Manganese PCA, Polylysine, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is the magnesium salt of PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid). It is a great skin hydrator for the top layers of skin.
PCA is a natural humectant, meaning it draws water from the air to your outer layer of skin.
One study found magnesium ions improved skin hydration in the outer layer of skin, or the stratum corneum. However, it did not improve TEWL, or the transepidermal water loss. The TEWL is an indicator of how healthy your skin barrier function is. This study primarily looked at healthy skin with intact skin barrier.
Learn more about Magnesium PCAWe don't have a description for Manganese PCA yet.
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 SorbateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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 WaterZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCA
