The INKEY List PHA Body Water Cream Versus Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Lotion Dewy Radiance

The INKEY List PHA Body Water Cream Versus Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Lotion Dewy Radiance

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

C15-19 Alkane

Gluconolactone

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Phenoxyethanol

Glyceryl Stearate

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Cetearyl Alcohol

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

Benzyl Alcohol

Sodium Hydroxide

Ethylhexylglycerin

Dehydroacetic Acid

Water, C15-19 Alkane, Gluconolactone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid

Dimethicone

Isohexadecane

Niacinamide

Glycerin

Glutathione

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycine

Cystine

Sodium PCA

Petrolatum

Carbomer

Parfum

Methylparaben

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Disodium EDTA

Titanium Dioxide

Water, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine, Cystine, Sodium PCA, Petrolatum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Sodium 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.

Water. 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!

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