What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Bentonite
Absorbent
Sulfur 3.3%
Antiseborrhoeic
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Quartz
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Bentonite, Sulfur 3.3%, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glutamic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Quartz, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about Sulfur
