What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Inositol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Maltose
MaskingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Prunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-150 Distearate, Pentylene Glycol, Pullulan, Pvp, Trehalose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arginine, Carbomer, Parfum, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Menthol, Citric Acid, Inositol, Panthenol, Maltodextrin, Maltose, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Citrate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 42090, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Oligopeptide-68
Bleaching
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Oleate
CleansingSodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 60, PEG-150 Distearate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Isopentyldiol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isohexadecane, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Oligopeptide-68, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Oleate, Sodium PCA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, CI 16035, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Agave Tequilana comes from the Blue Agave plant native to Mexico, and is a base ingredient in the alcohol Tequila.
It is an astringent, meaning it draws water out of pores to constrict them temporarily.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
