What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingQuaternium-60
Propylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveHypochlorous Acid
AntiseborrhoeicGlucose
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantFructose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningXylose
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingProtease
ExfoliatingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Alcohol Denat., Carbomer, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Charcoal Powder, Hypochlorous Acid, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Fructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Xylose, Polyglutamic Acid, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Protease, Oryza Sativa Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventQuaternium-60
Glycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Quaternium-60, Glycerin, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Dextrin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gluconolactone, Kojic Acid, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phospholipids, Retinol, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Limonene, Linalool
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Quaternium-60 yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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