What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantPropanediol
Solvent
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Cinnamomum Cassia Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Escin
TonicRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingThreonine
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Chondrus Crispus, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Decylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Hydrated Silica, Cinnamomum Cassia Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Trehalose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Escin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Serine, Glycine, Sodium Citrate, Threonine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Proline, Sodium Benzoate, Glutamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingErythritol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAroma
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Cocoate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Erythritol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aroma, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolThis ingredient is the potassium salt of coconut acid. Coconut acid is created by mixing fatty acids from coconut oil.
It is an emulsifier, surfactant, and cleanser. According to a manufacturer, it contains glycerin.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is an amino acid-based surfactant and cleaning agent. This ingredient can be derived from animals or plants. It may also be synthetically created from fatty acids of the coconut and glycine.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is a gentle surfactant. Surfactants help gather the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away. It is a mild cleanser and naturally produces foam.
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, 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
