What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Glycereth-26, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Tocopherol
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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
