What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingPEG-6
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingPEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-39
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Trehalose
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTheanine
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-36/41 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentDiamond Powder
AbrasiveSerine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicWater, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Sorbitol, Myristic Acid, PEG-6, PEG-32, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lauryl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Beeswax, Polyquaternium-39, Tocopherol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Parfum, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, PEG-90m, Sodium Benzoate, Theanine, Sodium Metabisulfite, PEG/PPG-36/41 Dimethyl Ether, CI 77492, Sodium Polyacrylate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Diamond Powder, Serine, Glycine, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, CI 77491, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
Myristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantBehenic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningQuartz Powder
AbrasiveNephrite Powder
AbrasivePearl Powder
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningHumic Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSucrose
HumectantTourmaline
Macrocystis Pyrifera Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveSodium PCA
HumectantPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingUrea
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantMyristic Acid, Glycerin, Behenic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Stearic Acid, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Quartz Powder, Nephrite Powder, Pearl Powder, Caffeine, Maris Sal, Humic Acids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Tourmaline, Macrocystis Pyrifera Protein, Polyquaternium-51, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Trehalose, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium PCA, PEG-3 Distearate, Urea, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 42090, CI 61570
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even breast milk.
In cosmetics, it is an:
Lab studies have found that lauric acid is surprisingly good at killing acne-causing bacteria. However, these tests were done on bacteria in a petri dish and not on real skin, so we can't say for certain it works the same in a formulation on a real face.
The comedogenic rating of 4 comes from the 1972 rabbit ear model using undiluted ingredients. Comedogenicity is highly individual and one comedogenic ingredient cannot predict how a formula will behave on skin.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe and research has confirmed Malassezia can use it as a food source.
Learn more about Lauric AcidMyristic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is naturally found in milk fat. Other sources include palm oil, coconut oil, and butter fat.
Myristic Acid is an emulsifer and cleanser. As an emulsifer, it stabilizes a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Myristic Acid helps clean your skin by acting as a surfactant. It tends to gather oil and dirt on your skin to be easily rinsed away.
One study from 2021 found Myristic Acid to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Myristic AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about Trehalose