What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicMelatonin
AntioxidantSodium Salicylate
PreservativePolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Citric Acid, Cocamide Mipa, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phytosterols, Inositol, Ceramide NP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Menthol, Biotin, Melatonin, Sodium Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Olivate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Zinc Pyrithione 1%
AntiseborrhoeicWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientQuaternium-18
Polyquaternium-37
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeMenthol
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientQuaternium-80
Polyquaternium-10
Propanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingZinc Pyrithione 1%, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Quaternium-18, Polyquaternium-37, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phytosterols, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Mentha Piperita Oil, Piroctone Olamine, Menthol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Quaternium-80, Polyquaternium-10, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 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 GlycerinMentha Piperita Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the whole plant of the Peppermint plant.
It can be used to add a fresh scent to products.
Peppermint oil may cause skin sensitivity and redness due to its menthol content. Menthol also has a cooling effect (like your toothpaste).
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPhytosterols come from plants, nuts, and whole grains. These compounds have skin soothing and moisturizing properties.
Fun fact: They are similar to cholesterol and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Potassium 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 SorbatePropanediol 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 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