What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Meal
AbrasivePEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCeteareth-25
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Meal, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Potassium Cocoate, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ceteareth-25, Laminaria Digitata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Behenic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Eos, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide As, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingStyrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingEthyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water