What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
Buffering4-Terpineol
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Menthol, Caffeine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phosphate, 4-Terpineol, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gluconolactone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Diatomaceous Earth, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dna, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Propolis Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMenthol
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Menthol, Dextrin, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Biotin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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.
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 preservatives
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.Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
Butylene 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolMenthol 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 MentholSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
