What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSmilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingMenthol
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantAcorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Tromethamine, Menthol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Madecassoside, Aspergillus Ferment, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicThiamine Hcl
MaskingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMenadione
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentMentha Spicata Herb Oil
PerfumingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventAlcohol Denat., Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Biotin, Thiamine Hcl, Pyridoxine Hcl, Ascorbic Acid, Menadione, Riboflavin, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Salicylic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Menthol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Mentha Spicata Herb Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Β
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesΒ
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol 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 PanthenolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidWater. 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 WaterZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract