What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingAcrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lactic Acid, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-6 Cocamide
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialUrea
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCoconut Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, PEG-6 Cocamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Succinoglycan, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Urea, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-51, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Glyceryl Oleate, Coconut Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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