What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Alginate
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sulfur, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Propylene Glycol Alginate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, BHT, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Polyquaternium-51, Butyl Avocadate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Asiaticoside, Propylene Glycol, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
HumectantSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientPerlite
AbsorbentCarnosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Zinc PCA, Sarcosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Silica Silylate, Perlite, Carnosine, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Parfum
Reviews
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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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