What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Carrageenan, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Maris Sal
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 GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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. 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
