What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Anhydroxylitol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingGlycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Alcohol Denat., Pvp, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Panthenol, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol 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 PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
