This hydrating essence is formulated around Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract and Alteromonas Ferment Extract to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-20
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingPaeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PEG-20, PEG-8, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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