What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingParfum
Masking
PEG-60
HumectantHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Betaine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Parfum, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer 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 CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about Triethanolamine
