What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSwiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningAgarum Cribrosum Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveCellulose Acetate
Salicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingMenthol
MaskingSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLaureth-3
EmulsifyingAmmonium Sulfate
Lauryl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-9
UV AbsorberCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Agarum Cribrosum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Cellulose Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Menthol, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-3, Ammonium Sulfate, Lauryl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-9, CI 15985, Blue 1 Lake, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Parfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGluconic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobionic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Mandelic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol, Tocopherol
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
Cocamidopropyl 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 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 EDTAWe don't have a description for Ecklonia Cava Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHizikia fusiforme extract comes from the brown seaweed known as hijiki. It has skin conditioning properties.
Hijiki is rich in minerals and polysaccharides, making it a great moisturizer.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneHypnea Musciformis Extract comes from the red algae called Hypnea musciformis. Hypnea Musciformis is commonly found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
The cell walls of Hypnea Musciformis is rich in carrageenan.
Hypnea Musciformis Extract contains vitamins A, C, and E. It also has calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron.
Learn more about Hypnea Musciformis ExtractLaminaria Japonica Extract comes from a kelp more commonly known as 'sweet kelp'. It is commonly eaten in Japan, Korea, and China.
Sweet kelp is a humectant and helps hydrate your skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.
Studies show Laminaria Japonica has antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Kelp also contains magnesium and zinc, making it great for calming inflammation and redness.
Learn more about Laminaria Japonica ExtractMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Salicornia Herbacea Extract yet.
Salicylic 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Sargassum Fulvellum Extract yet.
Chances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideUndaria Pinnatifida Extract comes from a kelp native to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is more commonly known as "wakame".
This kelp contains fatty acids, sodium, calcium, iodine, thiamine, and niacin. Studies show a polysaccharide known as fucoidan exhibits strong antioxidant activities. Fucoidan can be found in the cell walls of many species of brown seaweed.
Wakame prefers cold and temperate oceans. It is used in Japanese and Korean cuisine (yummy!).
Learn more about Undaria Pinnatifida ExtractWater. 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