What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantLinseed Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Linseed Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyurethane-14
Amp-Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbic Acid
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTriacetin
AntimicrobialLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Polyurethane-14, Amp-Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Urea, Polysorbate 20, Sorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Trehalose, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Triacetin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water