What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingDisodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Gluconic Acid
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDenatonium Benzoate
Masking
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
Astringent
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Mandelic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Denatonium Benzoate, Lactobionic Acid, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Salicylic 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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
