What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sea Water
HumectantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Coral Powder
Abrasive
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Peat Water
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Silica, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isohexadecane, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sea Water, Acacia Senegal Gum, Chlorphenesin, Coral Powder, Sea Salt, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, Peat Water, Taurine, Phenoxyethanol, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Potassium Sorbate
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Cyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingCitronellyl Acetate
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingMethyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Citronellyl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Gamma-Undecalactone, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 47005, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Silica, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Methyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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 Water
