Hada Labo Gokujyun Ultimate Moisturizing Face Wash Versus Finally Found You! Soy Clear Brightening & Dark Spot Serum
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexylglycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-400, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Citric Acid, Lauric Acid, Stearic Acid, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylglycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingKojic Acid
AntioxidantPEG-100 Stearate
Cysteamine Hcl
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLavandula Hybrida Herb Oil
PerfumingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Kojic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Cysteamine Hcl, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Allantoin, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water