What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingCocamide DEA
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientXylitol
Humectant
CI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropylparaben
Preservative
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
Humectant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, PEG-400, Cocamide DEA, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Xylitylglucoside, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Xylitol, CI 47005, Cellulose Gum, Propylparaben, CI 42090, Glucose, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Glucose
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Betaine, C13-15 Alkane, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Salicylic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Anhydroxylitol, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Disodium EDTA, Glucose, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, T-Butyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oligopeptide-10, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolDisodium 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 EDTAGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside
