What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Grandis Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Toluene Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-8, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Grandis Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingFarnesol
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Undecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tridecane, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Farnesol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It works as a thickener, emulsifier, and texture enhancer that gives gel-creams a silky, lightweight feel.
This ingredient is versatile and low-maintenance so manufacturers love working with it.
Typical usage levels in cosmetics are usually low and in the range of 0.015 - 2.3%.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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
