What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Bentonite
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Maris Aqua
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Silica
Abrasive
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carrageenan
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Bentonite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Hydrated Silica, Maris Aqua, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Glucose, Sodium Phytate, Silica, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carrageenan, CI 77891, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
