What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Powder
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Glycine
Buffering
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Powder, Zinc PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Polyglycerin-6, Azelaic Acid, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Water. 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
