What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSqualene
Emollient
Salinicoccus Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Amylopectin
Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPolydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cetyl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Squalene, Salinicoccus Lysate Filtrate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Urea, Amylopectin, Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Bacillus Ferment, Phytosterols, Folic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-3, Propylene Carbonate, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Lactate
Buffering
Petrolatum
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Lactate, Petrolatum, Potassium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Stearamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
