What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Jasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentAcacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Water, Lecithin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Subtilisin
Skin ConditioningProtease
Exfoliating
Poria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Menthyl Lactate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Papain, Mannitol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Caramel, Zinc Sulfate, Subtilisin, Protease, Poria Cocos Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Biotin, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 20Potassium 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 PropanediolPropylene 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
