What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylene Glycol
AntimicrobialTetramethylolglycoluril
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Water, Methylene Glycol, Tetramethylolglycoluril, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Betaine, Glycerin, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Cyanocobalamin, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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
