What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBetula Alba Juice
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarica Papaya Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropolis Wax
EmollientCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCodonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Extract
AntioxidantViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Betula Alba Juice, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carica Papaya Fruit Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Hedera Helix Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Beta-Glucan, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Propolis Wax, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Laureth-5
EmollientKojic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolyquaternium-11
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Morus Alba Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Kojic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polyquaternium-11, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Salicylic 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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water