What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAgar
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Agar, Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tin Oxide, CI 73360, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Glucose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Morus Alba Leaf Extract
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
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.
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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
