What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Michelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAverrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Alumina, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Stearic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Adenosine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCalamine
AbsorbentPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pullulan
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Calamine, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Madecassoside, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pullulan, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Alcohol, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as maca root.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
