What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Steareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tetrapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Ranunculus Ficaria Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin Acetyl Methionine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Mel Extract
MoisturisingSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingQuartz
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Azelaic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrapeptide-14, Ranunculus Ficaria Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Allantoin Acetyl Methionine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mel Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Quartz, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyectoin
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAspergillus/Molasses Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Dextran
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Ectoin, Hydroxyectoin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Aspergillus/Molasses Ferment Filtrate, Phytosphingosine, Adenosine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja Extract, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Dextran, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
