What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentStearic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientEthyl Linoleate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoconut Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventRutin
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Gluconate, Glycol Distearate, Ethyl Linoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coconut Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Propanediol, Rutin, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGlycol Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingSphingolipids
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-67
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingViola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycol Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Stearic Acid, Sphingolipids, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-67, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide NP, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Benzoate, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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