What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentasodium Pentetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mentha Arvensis Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Water, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Cocamide Mea, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Panthenol, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
Buffering
Menthol
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Pentasodium Pentetate
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cysteine, Methionine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Acorus Calamus Root Extract is a fragrance.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholWe don't have a description for Pentasodium Pentetate yet.
Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
