What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingMethyl Glucose Dioleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolyquaternium-39
Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Triethylhexanoin, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Gluconolactone, Zea Mays Starch, Lauryl Glucoside, Calcium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polyquaternium-39, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Myristyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Kojic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
