What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTorreya Nucifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSucrose
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Zea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, CI 77288, Sucrose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidTocopheryl 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 Water
