What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingIsopropyl Cloprostenate
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polysorbate 20, Gluconolactone, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Triethanolamine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidButylene 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 GlycolChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17 isn't fungal acne safe and is a peptide.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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