What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Polysilicone-13
Camellia Seed Oil
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-2 Laurate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Amodimethicone
PPG-2-Deceth-12
EmulsifyingMethylserine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isopentyldiol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Steartrimonium Chloride, Polysilicone-13, Camellia Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate, Squalane, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-2 Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Amodimethicone, PPG-2-Deceth-12, Methylserine, Disodium EDTA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Myristyl Betaine
CleansingPPG-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Honey
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Diethyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantKeratin
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myristyl Betaine, PPG-7, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Honey, Arginine, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Diethyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Honey Extract, CI 19140, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Royal Jelly Extract, CI 17200, Keratin, Propolis Extract, Gamma-Docosalactone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 17200 is a synthetic, water-soluble, reddish-pink dye. It is used purely as a cosmetic colorant.
In the US, the FDA permits this ingredient in cosmetics but it is not approved for use around the eyes while the EU allows this to be used in all cosmetic products.
The FDA requires batch-to-batch certification for this ingredient that is held to a pretty rigorous standard. That means the CI 17200 in your cosmetics has been tested and approved before it ever reaches you.
Contact allergy to cosmetic-grade dyes used at low concentrations are uncommon but has been documented before.
This ingredient also goes by the name D&C RED NO. 33.
CI 17200 has a comedogenic rating of 1 and an irritancy rating of 2 on a scale of 0-5. This is based on peer-reviewed research from the man who invented the comedogenic scale.
A 1 on the comedogenic scale is about as low as it gets without being a flat zero, and makes sense for CI 17200.
It's a water-soluble dye used at very small concentrations (typically 0.001-0.1%), so it dissolves into the water phase of a formula rather than sitting on your skin the way an oil or wax would.
The irritancy rating of 2 reflects that, like most synthetic dyes, there's a small possibility of mild irritation ( particularly for people with existing dye sensitivities).
For the vast majority of people, it's a non-issue at typical use levels.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Just so you know, the FDA ban on Red Dye No. 3 refers to CI 45430, not this ingredient. CI 45430 and CI 17200 are different chemical compounds with distinct safety and regulatory histories.
It's also worth noting that Red No. 3 (CI 45430) was already banned from cosmetics back in 1990, so the 2025 action just extended the ban to food and oral drugs. CI 17200 was never part of any of this.
Learn more about CI 17200Disodium 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Royal Jelly Extract comes from a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.
This compound has antibacterial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies show Royal Jelly to contain amino acids, fatty acids, and a variety of vitamins, including Vitamin Bs. Many of these components are antioxidants, which help with anti-aging. The fatty acids in Royal Jelly make it a hydrating ingredient.
Several animal studies show Royal Jelly to boost collagen production and reduce inflammation.
The Vitamin Bs found in Royal Jelly include:
Royal Jelly is derived from honeybees. This means it is not vegan.
Learn more about Royal Jelly ExtractSodium 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
