What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyquaternium-73
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-73, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Cistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Silicone Quaternium-8
Polyquaternium-10
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Cistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Maltodextrin, Silicone Quaternium-8, Polyquaternium-10, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Limonene, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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 BenzoateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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
