What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Niacinamide
SmoothingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Triethylene Glycol
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingClitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingActinidia Chinensis Seed
AbrasiveSalicylic Acid 0.01%
MaskingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Skin Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingWater, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract, Triethanolamine, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Seed, Salicylic Acid 0.01%, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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