What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Leaf Extract
AbrasiveJuglans Regia Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPyrus Germanica Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePantolactone
HumectantLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Juglans Regia Leaf Extract, Juglans Regia Shell Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lecithin, Pyrus Germanica Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Potassium Sorbate, Pantolactone, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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