What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Arginine Lauryl/Myristyl Ether Hcl
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate
Glutamic Acid
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingPCA
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-64
Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Arginine Lauryl/Myristyl Ether Hcl, Dihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate, Glutamic Acid, Trehalose, Squalane, Steartrimonium Chloride, PEG-90m, PCA, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyquaternium-64, Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder, Royal Jelly Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningCitrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingTrifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Linalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingNicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caffeine, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Biotin, Alcohol, Phytic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
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 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 GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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