What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Acrylates Copolymer
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Lactic Acid 0.04%
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarnitine
Cleansing
Mannitol
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citric Acid 0.001%
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid 0.04%, Dipropylene Glycol, Carnitine, Mannitol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid 0.001%, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Powder
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Powder, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Rosa Multiflora Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Lactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
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
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSalicylic 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 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
