What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingApigenin
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Glycerin
HumectantPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Hairy Root Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Resveratrol
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Phospholipids, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Glycerin, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panthenol, Ocimum Basilicum Hairy Root Culture Extract, Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Phytate, Resveratrol, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMenthol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingAzelaic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPiroctone Olamine
PreservativePyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDextran
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Azelaic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Piroctone Olamine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caffeine, Glycerin, Dextran, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This biometic peptide is designed to support hair growth.
According to a manufacturer, it stimulates hair growth by:
The manufacturer has found combining this ingredient with red clover extract (Capixyl) boosted benefits. Not only does it enforce the scalp's extracellular matrix, it also inhibits the enzyme that creates DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss.
While this ingredient is promising, more research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3Butylene 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 GlycolDextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.
Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Piroctone Olamine targets Malassezia, the fungus responsible for dandruff, which is why you'll find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos.
It's also water-soluble, so it blends easily into these formulas.
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 BenzoateThis extract comes from the flower more commonly known as red clover.
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 Water