What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantErythritol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water, PEG-8, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octyldodecanol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bioflavonoids, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Hexyldecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
4-Terpineol
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, 4-Terpineol, Succinic Acid, Madecassoside, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
