What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingHydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
ChelatingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethylaminopropylamine
Acetic Acid
Buffering3-Hexenol
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBenzyl Acetate
Masking
Methylbenzyl Acetate
Masking
Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
P-Menthan-7-Ol
Masking
Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
Perfuming
Heliotropine
Masking
2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
Masking
Citronellyl Acetate
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Delta-Damascone
Masking
Rose Ketone-4
Perfuming
Trimethylbenzenepropanol
Masking
Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal
Masking
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingGamma-Decalactone
Perfuming
Ionone
Astringent
Methyl Ionones
MaskingDimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate
Perfuming
Phenylisohexanol
MaskingRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Dodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran
Perfuming
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Phenethyl Phenylacetate
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cosmone
PerfumingMethylcyclopentadecenone
Masking5-Cyclohexadecenone
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin, Sodium Levulinate, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyltaurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Panthenol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dimethylaminopropylamine, Acetic Acid, 3-Hexenol, Linalool, Phenethyl Alcohol, Benzyl Acetate, Methylbenzyl Acetate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, P-Menthan-7-Ol, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Heliotropine, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Citronellyl Acetate, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Vanillin, Delta-Damascone, Rose Ketone-4, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Ethyl Vanillin, Gamma-Decalactone, Ionone, Methyl Ionones, Dimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate, Phenylisohexanol, Raspberry Ketone, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Dodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran, Isopropyl Myristate, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Phenylacetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cosmone, Methylcyclopentadecenone, 5-Cyclohexadecenone
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Salix Purpurea Bark Ferment Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Gluconate
ChelatingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-7
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Salix Purpurea Bark Ferment Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Gluconate, Lactobacillus, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Montmorillonite, Menthoxypropanediol, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Limonene
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid. In skincare, its main job is as a chelator.
Chelators grab onto stray metal ions like iron and copper that sneak in through water, raw materials, or manufacturing equipment. This stops them from triggering reactions that cause oils to go rancid, formulas to change color, and actives like vitamin C to fall apart.
This ingredient is often chosen as a biodegradable, gentler-sounding alternative to EDTA. It also pulls double duty as a mild humectant and pH buffer.
Typical use levels sit around 0.1-1% and supplier documents list up to 10% as an acceptable ceiling. Industry data found this ingredient family is mostly used well below 1% in leave on products.
Allergy risk is very low; animal testing has found it to be non-irritating to skin and eyes, mutagenicity assays came back negative, and there are no published reports of allergic contact dermatitis to it.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateWater. 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
