What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Xylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Nopalea Cochenillifera Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamide Mea, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Nopalea Cochenillifera Extract, Polysorbate 20, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pectin, Arginine, Proline, Serine, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 AcidWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
