What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingPolyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCitronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCitral
PerfumingLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Linalool, Disodium Phosphate, Benzophenone-4, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Citral, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Trilaurin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningTetrahydrocurcumin
AntioxidantCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Betaine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Trilaurin, Behenyl Alcohol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Zea Mays Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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