What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysorbate 85
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-3
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylate-13
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Methylparaben
Preservative
Cystoseira Amentacea/Caespitosa Branchycarpa Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 85, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyl Avocadate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Retinyl Palmitate, Steareth-3, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Sucrose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Polyisobutene, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Methyldihydrojasmonate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polysorbate 20, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Methylparaben, Cystoseira Amentacea/Caespitosa Branchycarpa Extract, Chlorphenesin, Gamma-Undecalactone, Benzoic Acid, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Succinic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerophosphoinositol Choline
Skin ProtectingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentWater, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glycerophosphoinositol Choline, Bacillus Ferment, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oleanolic Acid, Cyclodextrin
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 GlycolGlycerin (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.
Propylene 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 GlycolSalicylic 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, it’s 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
