What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater, Propylene Glycol, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lactobacillus, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhenoxyethanol 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