What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBHA
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bisabolol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Climbazole, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Sorbic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Caprylate, BHA, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Propanediol
Solvent
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
