What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentLecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Illite
Abrasive
Polyquaternium-7
Water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycol Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Charcoal Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Illite, Polyquaternium-7
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Spica Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Spica Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycolCetyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
