What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phlox Drummondii Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBourbon Extract
AstringentRoe Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingAspartic Acid
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Methionine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, C12-14 Pareth-12, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phlox Drummondii Seed Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Bourbon Extract, Roe Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Valine, Ornithine, Taurine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Methionine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Blue 1 Lake, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCyclodextrin
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Buteth-3
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberTributyl Citrate
SolventPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lecithin, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Buteth-3, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Tributyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPropanediol 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
