What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingToluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Ceteth-2
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-6
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Hydrosulfite
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate
2-Methylresorcinol
M-Aminophenol
2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Hcl
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Oxyquinoline Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Pentasodium Pentetate
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Chloride
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-7
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Stearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCetrimonium Bromide
Antimicrobial
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Ethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-25, Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ceteth-2, Polyquaternium-6, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Hydrosulfite, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate, 2-Methylresorcinol, M-Aminophenol, 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Hcl, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Oxyquinoline Sulfate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Paraffinum Liquidum, Pvp, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycol Distearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Panthenol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-10, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Jojoba Esters, Beta-Glucan, Glycolic Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Amodimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cetrimonium Bromide
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Erythrulose
TanningPEG-12
HumectantPEG-12 Allyl Ether
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Trideceth-9, Polysorbate 20, PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Erythrulose, PEG-12, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl 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 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 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
