What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingZymomonas Ferment Extract
HumectantHoney Extract
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Magnesium Sulfate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Isoamyl Laurate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Panthenol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Saccharide Isomerate, Inulin, Urea, Glucosyl Ceramide, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Honey Extract, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholDehydroacetic Acid is a synthetic preservative that keeps your products safe from microbes.
As an organic acid, it penetrates microbial cell walls and disrupts cellular metabolism. This makes it effective against bacteria, yeast, and mold.
It is effective at low concentrations (<0.6%). Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing.
Learn more about Dehydroacetic AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD) comes from the condensation of azelaic acid mixed with glycine.
This ingredient has similar properties to azelaic acid; it can help reduce sebum production and soothe skin. PAD also inhibits tyrosinase activity to help brighten skin. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production.
A study from 2023 found 5% PAD combined with nicotinamide (a form of niacin) effectively reduced melanin production after 6 weeks.
Several studies from the 2010's also show PAD to be effective in alleviating symptoms of Rosacea.
Though this ingredient is considered a gentle active, higher amounts may result in irritation.
Unlike azelaic acid, this ingredient is water-soluble. This property makes it easier to formulate into skincare products.
Learn more about Potassium Azeloyl DiglycinatePropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
