What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Potassium Sorbate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Castanea Sativa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf, CI 15985, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantErythritol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantTetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater, PEG-8, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octyldodecanol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bioflavonoids, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Hexyldecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water