What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
PPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingMaltitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Maltitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caffeine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Tristearate, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Succinoglycan, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Linalool, Citronellol, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dextran
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Lysine
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Phenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Betula Alba Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Oligopeptide-177
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Ceramide Ng, Glycine, Lysine, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Phenylalanine, Proline, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Betula Alba Oil, Disodium EDTA, Oligopeptide-177, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol
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 AcidGlycerin (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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
