What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOleth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSea Water
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Oleth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sea Water, Stearic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Carbomer, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Chlorphenesin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, CI 16035, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingPyruvic Acid
MaskingTartaric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveAlgae Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingUrea
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Charcoal Powder, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Algae Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Urea, Parfum, Linalool, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin 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 LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum