What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
PEG-150
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Aluminum Chlorohydrate
AstringentCarnitine
Cleansing
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, PEG-150, PEG-8, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Carnitine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Cera Alba, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lactic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trideceth-9, Citric Acid, Glucose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bisabolol, Caramel, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Lauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even breast milk.
In cosmetics, it is an:
Lab studies have found that lauric acid is surprisingly good at killing acne-causing bacteria. However, these tests were done on bacteria in a petri dish and not on real skin, so we can't say for certain it works the same in a formulation on a real face.
The comedogenic rating of 4 comes from the 1972 rabbit ear model using undiluted ingredients. Comedogenicity is highly individual and one comedogenic ingredient cannot predict how a formula will behave on skin.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe and research has confirmed Malassezia can use it as a food source.
Learn more about Lauric AcidPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSodium 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 BenzoateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
