What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Water, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Lactobacillus, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Mitoquinol Mesylate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingMirabilis Jalapa Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate
Abrasive
Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate
Emollient
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Mitoquinol Mesylate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Callus Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyisobutene, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Polysorbate 20, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePhenoxyethanol 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 20Tocopheryl 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
