What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Laurate
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-67
Coconut Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-22
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Seed Extract
BufferingVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Kernel Extract
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Decyl Glucoside, C12-14 Alketh-12, Salicylic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-67, Coconut Acid, Polyquaternium-22, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Isethionate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Arginine, Citric Acid, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Hexapeptide-1, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Polyphosphate
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Erythorbate
AntioxidantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide DEA, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Polyphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Erythorbate, CI 77288, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butyl Avocadate, Salicylic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumSalicylic 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 AcidChances 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water