What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Coco-Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
Humectant
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzophenone-4, Citric Acid, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPeg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.
It is a synthetic polymer with emulsifying and cleansing properties.
As an emulsifier, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate prevents ingredients such as oils and water from separating. It also helps rinse away oils, dirt, and pollutants from skin.
Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also dry out skin.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
