What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantZinc Pyrithione
Antiseborrhoeic1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMyristic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantWater, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid, Propanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Zinc Pyrithione, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Arginine, Myristic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Denatonium Benzoate, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCamphor
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingZinc PCA
HumectantCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientIsomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialKaolin
AbrasivePalmitic Acid
EmollientZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat., Zinc Oxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Camphor, Silica, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Chlorphenesin, CI 77491, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 80, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbic Acid, Beeswax, Benzalkonium Chloride, Kaolin, Palmitic Acid, Zinc Sulfate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract is from the Roman Chamomile flower. It helps soothe the skin and contains antioxidants.
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water