What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicWater, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Acrylates Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Palmitic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pvp, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tromethamine, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Glucose, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin
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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
