What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicArginine
Masking
PEG-32
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRose Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Faex Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Arginine, PEG-32, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Papain, Sorbic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rose Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Acetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, P-Anisic Acid, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Madecassoside, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Tocopherol
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 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
