What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingTrifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Laureth-21
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Beheneth-30
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Iron Oxides
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Pvp, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Chloride, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Sodium Polyaspartate, Phenoxyethanol, Maltodextrin, Laureth-21, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Beheneth-30, Silica, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides, CI 77266, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 75470
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBeheneth-30
CleansingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Simethicone
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol, Pvp, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Beheneth-30, Sodium Polyaspartate, Charcoal Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Simethicone, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholWe don't have a description for Beheneth-30 yet.
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
We don't have a description for Sodium Metaphosphate yet.
We don't have a description for Sodium Polyaspartate yet.
Water. 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
