What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
PEG-250 Distearate
CleansingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantCymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium PCA, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-250 Distearate, Glycol Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Yeast Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycine, Chlorphenesin, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Lactic Acid, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Glycol Distearate, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, CI 77891, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 15985, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Linalool
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCitric 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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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
