What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantSea Silt
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sucrose
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingIndole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Xylitol, Sea Silt, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Parfum, Calcium Chloride, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Indole Acetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantKojic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAzelaic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Kojic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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