e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Clean Freak Daily Cleanser Versus Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDiglycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Diglycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Trehalose, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 188
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Polysorbate 20, Poloxamer 188, Zea Mays Starch, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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