What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Lactate
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Piper Nigrum Seed Oil
Astringent
Boswellia Serrata Oil
Masking
Foeniculum Vulgare Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Pinus Sylvestris Oil
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lauryl Lactate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Salicylic Acid, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Piper Nigrum Seed Oil, Boswellia Serrata Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Blue 1 Lake, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Threonine
Glycine
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Cocoyl Rice Amino Acids
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Proline, Arginine, Serine, Alanine, Threonine, Glycine, PCA, Lysine Hcl, Sodium PCA, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Glutamic Acid, Potassium Cocoyl Rice Amino Acids, Betaine, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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.
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 PropanediolSalicylic 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, it’s 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
