What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinegar
Perilla Frutescens Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Rhamnose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientClimbazole
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Betaine, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Mipa, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Vinegar, Perilla Frutescens Seed Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Malt Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Inulin, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Caffeine, Biotin, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Climbazole, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Menthol
Masking
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Polyquaternium-22
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Succinic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Caffeine, Trihydroxystearin, Salicylic Acid, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Piroctone Olamine, Menthol, Climbazole, Mentha Piperita Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Sodium Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-22, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Propanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP
Reviews
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
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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineClimbazole is a preservative.
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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLauryl Hydroxysultaine is a mild surfactant or cleansing ingredient that helps lift away dirt/oil, boost foam, and thicken the formula. It plays nicely with other surfactants and stays stable across a wide pH range.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
