What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Gluconic Acid
Sodium
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Rugosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Dextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTetradecene
EmollientSodium Sulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-10
Water, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Mandelic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Sodium, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Rosa Rugosa Fruit Extract, Hydroxyapatite, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Tetradecene, Sodium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Tangerina Extract
TonicFructan
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPrunella Vulgaris Extract
Antioxidant
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Hexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Glyceryl Glucoside, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Tangerina Extract, Fructan, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Betaine, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Sodium Citrate, Maltodextrin, Lauryl Betaine, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Cyanocobalamin, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateChances 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 ChlorideWe don't have a description for Tetradecene yet.
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!
Learn more about Water
