What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientMagnesium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCellulose Acetate
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLysine
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Citric Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Acetate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lysine, Azelaic Acid, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientCapryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningXylityl Phosphate
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingAmyl Salicylate
Perfuming3-Hexenol
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Decyl Glucoside, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Squalane, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Xylitol, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Xylityl Phosphate, Sclerotium Gum, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Calcium Gluconate, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Amyl Salicylate, 3-Hexenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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-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-GlucosideGlyceryl Oleate is the ester of glycerin and oleic acid. This ingredient is mainly an emollient and emulsifier.
Emollients soften and hydrate the skin by creating a thin film on top to trap in moisture. As an emulsifier, glyceryl oleate helps stabilize formulations by preventing ingredients such as oil and water from separating. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps helps thicken water-in-oil formulations, shower gels, and hair shampoos.
In some products, this ingredient may be used as a fragrance / perfuming ingredient. The scent of this ingredient is described to be "waxy".
Glyceryl oleate is created from oils rich in oleic acid, such as peanut oil and olive oil.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Glyceryl OleateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol