What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantMannitol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberTetrasodium EDTA
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentZinc Lactate
Mandelic Acid
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingArginine
MaskingPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientGlycosphingolipids
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 12490
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Polysorbate 20, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Mannitol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, PEG-14m, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Zinc Lactate, Mandelic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Arginine, Perfluorodecalin, Butylene Glycol, 4-Butylresorcinol, Dextrin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Sucrose Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 12490
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-8
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Parfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSericin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantWater, Stearic Acid, PEG-8, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sericin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Silk
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Water. 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