What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyisobutene
Xylitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantWater, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Butyl Avocadate, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Zinc PCA, Polyacrylate-13, Anhydroxylitol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polyisobutene, Xylitol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Chlorphenesin, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-51, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Propyl Gallate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
HumectantSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientPerlite
AbsorbentCarnosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Zinc PCA, Sarcosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Silica Silylate, Perlite, Carnosine, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Parfum
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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 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