What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPvp
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantCeteth-25
CleansingCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentOleth-10
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingSilk Amino Acids
HumectantWater, Alcohol, Pvp, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Charcoal Powder, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Ceteth-25, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Oleth-10, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, CI 16035, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, CI 42090, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Biotin, Panthenol, Plankton Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Silk Amino Acids
Water
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Starch
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGalactoarabinan
Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Synthetic Wax, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Galactoarabinan, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, CI 77499, CI 77007
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 GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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 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