What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Paraffin
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ceteareth-6
Emulsifying
Aquaphilus Dolomiae Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Colloidal Oatmeal 2%
Absorbent
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Myreth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
MaskingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingGlycine
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Colloidal Oatmeal 2%, Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Arginine Hcl, Carnitine, Glycine, Sodium PCA, Lauryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidWater. 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
