What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Octapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Rhizobian Gum
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantethine
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sea Water
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Cloprostenate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Oleate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Octapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rhizobian Gum, Biotin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Panthenol, Pantethine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Sea Water, Alcohol, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Oleate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
PEG-8
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Silanetriol
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Potassium Citrate
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, PEG-8, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Caffeine, CI 77891, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Parfum, Silanetriol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Citrate, Lecithin, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Soy Isoflavones, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
