What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
Perfuming
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Palmitate, Dimethicone, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Coco-Glucoside, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Limonene, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Escin
TonicSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, C12-16 Alcohols, Citric Acid, Carbomer, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Escin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is more commonly known as IPMP or Isopropyl Methylphenol. It is a preservative and has antimicrobial properties.
According to the EPA, this ingredient is allowed for use in cleansers, creams, powders, bath products, toothpaste, perfume, and more.
Sodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
