What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCamphor
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBHT
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientIsomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPalmitic Acid
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialWater, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Alcohol Denat., Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Camphor, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, BHT, Polysorbate 80, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbic Acid, Beeswax, Benzalkonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Silica, Zinc Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMenthol
MaskingParfum
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePotassium Carbonate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCestrum Latifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, Triethanolamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Menthol, Parfum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Potassium Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Cestrum Latifolium Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
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 this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
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.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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