What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
CI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArachidic Acid
Cleansing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentMalic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Acid, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Stearic Acid, CI 77004, Sodium Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Palmitic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Arachidic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Mica, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Volcanic Ash, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Montmorillonite, Malic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Tartaric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Trehalose, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Hexylene Glycol, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Glucose, Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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
