What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Water, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Caffeine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Parfum, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Menthol
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, Menthol, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Laureth-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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