What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPalmitic Acid
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid 0.45%
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract 0.02%
CleansingLactose
HumectantOleic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMadecassoside 0.001%
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Palmitic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid 0.45%, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Extract 0.02%, Lactose, Oleic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Madecassoside 0.001%, Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Morinda Citrifolia Extract 35.511%
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Lauramide DEA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingButeth-3
SolventPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTributyl Citrate
SolventTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMorinda Citrifolia Extract 35.511%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauramide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Buteth-3, Piroctone Olamine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Tributyl Citrate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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 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