What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Water
Skin ConditioningHuman Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningHuman Adipose Stromal Cell Conditioned Media
Glycerin
HumectantPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentSucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlycosphingolipids
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSchisandra Chinensis Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAlcohol
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Human Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media, Human Adipose Stromal Cell Conditioned Media, Glycerin, Perfluorodecalin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Sucrose Palmitate, Glycosphingolipids, Xanthan Gum, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phosphatidylcholine, Schisandra Chinensis Callus Extract, Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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. 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