What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Acetyl Hydroxyproline
EmollientChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycogen
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBenzophenone-5
UV Absorber
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Gellan Gum
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Acetyl Hydroxyproline, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycogen, Glycosyl Trehalose, Kojic Acid, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Resveratrol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Pericarp Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzophenone-5, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethyl Oleate, Gellan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Caramel, CI 77891
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Xylitol
Humectant
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Serine
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialPyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Glycerin
Humectant
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isodecyl Acrylate
Sodium N-Isostearoyl Methyltaurate
CleansingTetradecane
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Maltitol
HumectantPEG-100
HumectantHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beheneth-30
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Tranexamic Acid, Xylitol, Lauryl Betaine, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Silica, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Glycerin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Isodecyl Acrylate, Sodium N-Isostearoyl Methyltaurate, Tetradecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Petrolatum, Maltitol, PEG-100, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Myristyl Myristate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Beheneth-30, Butylene Glycol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, BHT, Menthol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Alcohol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol
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 AlcoholButylene 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
