What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingSetaria Italica Seed Extract
HumectantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Setaria Italica Seed Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent4-Terpineol
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingMadecassoside
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, 4-Terpineol, Succinic Acid, Madecassoside, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tetrasodium 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