What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventWine Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialTartaric Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-5
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Wine Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Resveratrol, Carbomer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Tartaric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tromethamine, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 42090, Benzophenone-5, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Lactic Acid, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Betaine, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine Salicylate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Limonene
Reviews
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
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water