What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Citric Acid
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-67
Polyquaternium-10
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylamide Mea
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Citric Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-67, Polyquaternium-10, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylamide Mea, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycolipids, Ceramide NP, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Lauryl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citric Acid, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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