What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Extract 5.1%
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Lauramide DEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glutathione
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Nelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Centella Asiatica Extract 5.1%, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamide Mea, Lauramide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glutathione, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Beta-Glucan, Dipropylene Glycol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Squalane, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Honey
Humectant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Honey, Propolis Extract, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamide Mea, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Sodium PCA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Caramel, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is made by combining the fatty acids from coconut oil with monoethanolamine. It is an emulsifier that helps boost foam, thicken texture, and help keep ingredients together in a formula.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
