What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthoxypropanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sarcosine, Salicylic Acid
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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 high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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