What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Citric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvp, Hydroxyacetophenone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Poloxamer 184, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVp/Va Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Parfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCarnosine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tin Oxide, Carnosine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, CI 16035
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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