What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-8
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyquaternium-7
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sericin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Water, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, PEG-8, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Beeswax, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-90m, CI 77288, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, CI 77492, CI 77491, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sericin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Silica, BHT, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Honey
Humectant
Sericin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Yogurt Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Α-Olefin Oligomer
PEG-8
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingPetrolatum
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Pyrosulfate
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
3-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Honey, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Yogurt Extract, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Methicone, Triethylhexanoin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Α-Olefin Oligomer, PEG-8, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Petrolatum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Sodium Pyrosulfate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, 3-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8We don't have a description for PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether yet.
We don't have a description for Sericin yet.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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
