What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Vp/Va Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosa Rugosa Flower Water
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium EDTA
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inositol
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientWater, Alcohol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Rosa Rugosa Flower Water, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inositol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polyester-24
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Glycereth-26, Polyester-24, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
