What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Galactoarabinan
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propylene Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Silica, Galactoarabinan, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Mica, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 77891
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tristearin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tristearin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
