What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingErythritol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientLinalool
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingPyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Silica, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, CI 77891, Sorbitan Tristearate, Erythritol, Parfum, Alcohol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Carbomer, Trisodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Potassium Hydroxide, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Linalool, Tocopherol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Limonene, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, CI 77491, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Pyrola Incarnata Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer
Skin ConditioningErythritol
Humectant
C30-45 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
PEG-150
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantC30-45 Olefin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Polyester-1
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysilicone-2
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Silica, Glycerin, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Zea Mays Starch, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Erythritol, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, PEG-150, Trehalose, Sodium Chloride, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, C30-45 Olefin, Cellulose Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Polyester-1, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alcohol, Polysilicone-2, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolYou might know this ingredient as a sugar substitute in foods. It is a sugar alcohol with humectant properties.
Humectants attract water to your skin (like glycerin or hyaluronic acid).
Fun fact: Erythritol can be naturally found in some fermented foods.
Learn more about ErythritolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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.
Trisodium EDTA is one of those quietly essential helper ingredients that most people have never heard of. You'll most likely spot it near the end of ingredient lists in almost every category of skincare.
So what does it actually do?
Its main job is chelation; this is a fancy word to say it grabs onto metal ions and neutralizes them. This is because even purified water in cosmetics contains trace amounts of metals that can cause big problems in a formula.
These trace metals can break down actives faster, cause discoloration, promote rancidity in oils, and make preservatives less effective. Trisodium EDTA binds to these metals and takes them out of the equation so your products can stay stable and effective for longer.
There's also an added bonus: by neutralizing the metals ions that bacteria need to thrive, this ingredient also acts as a preservative booster.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetic formulations. It is not considered an irritant, sensitizer, and is barely absorbed through the skin.
Learn more about Trisodium EDTAWater. 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
