What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Palmitate
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Alginate
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Water
Humectant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract
HumectantCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Collagen
Moisturising
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Stearate, Xylitol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-8, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone, Potassium Alginate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Collagen Water, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Propanediol, Tocopherol, CI 16035, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Vp/Va Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Erythritol
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Homarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-8, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Vp/Va Copolymer, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Erythritol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthyl Lactate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Homarine Hcl, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid.
The structure of sodium stearate makes it both a cleanser and emulsifier. As a cleanser, it helps dissolve dirt, oil, and other pollutants. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This adds stability to the formula.
Water. 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
