What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialRhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPhalaenopsis Amabilis Extract
HumectantCaesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Silica
AbrasiveTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Panthenol, Rosa Damascena Extract, Colloidal Gold, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Isomalt, Lecithin, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Tin Oxide, Mica, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveSodium PCA
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is an alkyl glucoside. This just means it is creating by reacting alcohol and sugar. It is a cleansing and foaming ingredient.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside helps remove the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin.
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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