What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingBoswellia Serrata Gum
MaskingTranexamic Acid
AstringentNiacin
SmoothingCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
TonicDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylamide
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantPantolactone
HumectantHydrochloric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialFarnesol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Titanium Dioxide, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silybum Marianum Extract, Azelaic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Tranexamic Acid, Niacin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Panthenol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Mica, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Cholate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Laureth-7, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Hydrochloric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water