What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract
Antioxidant
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Rheum Rhaponticum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Rheum Rhaponticum Root Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Alcohol, Cyclodextrin, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum
Alternatives
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 Alcohol
