What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSqualene
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Diatomaceous Earth, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Saccharide Isomerate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Silica, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Beta-Sitosterol, Citric Acid, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Squalene, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Thymol
AntimicrobialTerpineol
Masking
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Thymol, Terpineol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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
