What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Glucosamine Hcl
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Pectin, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glucosamine Hcl, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol Denat.
Water
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Caproyl Methyltaurate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Powder
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract
BleachingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-39
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Propanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Caproyl Methyltaurate, Coco-Betaine, Parfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Oryza Sativa Powder, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-39, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Carbonate, Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
