What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingXylitol
HumectantLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlucose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Sodium Polyglutamate, Trehalose, CI 15985, Citric Acid, CI 17200, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xylitol, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Cholesterol
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMannitol
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannitol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propyl Gallate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fructooligosaccharides, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Salicylic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol