What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 40
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSorbic Acid
Preservative
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, PEG-8 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 40, Sorbitan Palmitate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, BHT, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, CI 19140, Sorbic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Citral, Pinene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tilia Cordata Flower Water
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTilia Cordata Extract
RefreshingLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Tilia Cordata Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Carbomer, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, 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.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitatePhenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
