What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
CleansingCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Iris Florentina Root Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Alginic Acid
Skin ConditioningSilanetriol
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Olivate, Niacinamide, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Iris Florentina Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Collagen Extract, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Alginic Acid, Silanetriol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Extract
Antioxidant
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Panthenol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 AcidCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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
