What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingPEG-60
HumectantHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Polyester-5, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyester-5
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract, Alcohol Denat., Polyester-5, Triethyl Citrate, Water, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Seed Oil, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyester-5 yet.
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water