What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicLinalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Arginine, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 8%
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycolic Acid 8%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Phytosterols, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidWater. 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
