What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingStyrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingEthyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveOnsen-Sui
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantPropanediol
SolventZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitric Acid
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Onsen-Sui, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Vine Extract, Resveratrol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Tocopherol
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.
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 preservatives
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 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.
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