What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningApricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningOlivine Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Guanosine
Skin ConditioningUracil
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexadecene
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Carbomer, Faex Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Soy Amino Acids, Punica Granatum Seed Extract, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Olivine Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Retinal, Guanosine, Uracil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Adenosine Phosphate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Hexadecene, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, C13-15 Alkane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Lactobionic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 77891, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Phytate, Maltodextrin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Silica, Resveratrol, CI 77491, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium 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.
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
