What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Salix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentZinc PCA
HumectantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Dextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
MoisturisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPerilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, 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
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, 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 used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water