What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlutathione
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Cellulose Gum, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Triethylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glutathione, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientVp/Va Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
Cellulose
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rhamnose
HumectantEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Cellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Rhamnose, Ectoin, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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
