What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingPolyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Extract
PerfumingAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salicylic Acid, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBentonite
AbsorbentCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingBetaine
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingJojoba Esters
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentAcetic Acid
BufferingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Bentonite, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Jojoba Esters, Niacinamide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Acetic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis essential oil is steam-distilled from peppermint leaves, also known as peppermint oil. It's mainly used for scent in skincare but also provides that signature "cooling" sensation.
Peppermint oil is a "feels amazing" ingredient until it doesn't.
At higher doses or for those with sensitive skin, methol-type cooling can quickly turn into burning/irritation. It can also trigger irritant dermatitis or even allergic contact dermatitis. In a large patch-test dataset, peppermint oil had a low but positive rate for this.
In cosmetics, Cosmetic Safety Reviews (CIR) concludes that peppermint oil is safe to use when formulated to be non-sensitizing with some restrictions; for instance, pulegone, a naturally occurring component of peppermint oil, should not exceed 1%.
Since peppermint oil contains fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, and menthol, it can be sensitizing for those with rosacea, eczema, a broken skin barrier, or just sensitive skin in general.
In Japan, this ingredient is known as Hakka Yu.
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSalicylic 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 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 BenzoateThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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