What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Dextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Chloride, Citric Acid, Menthyl Lactate, Parfum, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Zinc PCA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Sitosterol, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isohexadecane
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Betaine, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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
