What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingErythritol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingChamomilla Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Edtmp
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
CI 51319
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingWater, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Castoryl Maleate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc PCA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, CI 51319, CI 77891, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Geranyl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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 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