What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-3
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveGlucose
HumectantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantHordeum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSilanetriol
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Boron Nitride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Cetyl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Caffeine, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Methylpropanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Mica, Laureth-3, Adenosine, Lactobacillus, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Silica, Glucose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Stearic Acid, Lactic Acid, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Biotin, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialXylitol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Surfactin
CleansingPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTrehalose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Boron Nitride, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Alcohol, Xylitol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Surfactin, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-2, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBoron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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