What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylhexyl Sebacate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Sebacate, Synthetic Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 19140, CI 15985, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMaris Aqua
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiglycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Maris Aqua, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Trehalose, Parfum, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Diglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 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 EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPotassium 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 SorbateWater. 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