What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil
Perfuming
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Water, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-51, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Polysorbate 80, Tin Oxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol
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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
