What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Palm Kernelamide DEA
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-7
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Palm Kernelamide DEA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salicylic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-7, Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Potassium Palmate
SurfactantSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Potassium Laureth Phosphate
EmulsifyingDistearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Volcanic Soil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Threonine
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Potassium Palmate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Laureth Phosphate, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamide Mea, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Volcanic Soil, Pentylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Histidine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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, itβs 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
