What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Phytic Acid
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingLinalool
Perfuming
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentGeraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phytic Acid, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Linalool, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Eugenia Uniflora Leaf Extract
AstringentLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingLecithin
Emollient
Galactoarabinan
Schizophyllan
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Eugenia Uniflora Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Lecithin, Galactoarabinan, Schizophyllan, Maltodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Sodium Bisulfite, Ergothioneine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidSodium 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 BenzoateWe don't have a description for Syringa Vulgaris Extract yet.
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
