What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEmulsifying Wax Nf
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 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.
Tocopheryl 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