What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning4-Terpineol
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAlcohol Denat., Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, 4-Terpineol, Menthol, Piroctone Olamine, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMenthol
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingOcimum Basilicum Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Alcohol Denat., Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Menthol, Dextrin, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Biotin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
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 this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
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.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Rosemary Leaf Oil is a fragrance and helps give your product a scent. If you are sensitive to irritating fragrances, this one contains camphor. Camphor has been found to irritate skin.
This oil also contains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As an antioxidant, it may protect you skin against damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilWater. 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