What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamide Mea
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
AntioxidantNatto Gum
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientMannitol
HumectantAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveCholesterol
EmollientWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamide Mea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Natto Gum, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Mannitol, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Cholesterol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Sorbitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Zinc Ricinoleate
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChloramine T
AntimicrobialSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Cocamide Mipa, Niacinamide, C12-13 Alketh-9, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Kojic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Chloramine T, Sodium Bicarbonate, CI 19140, Ascorbic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 AcidDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate is a surfactant and helps cleanse skin. It is created from the fatty acids of coconut oil.
Surfactants help rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants easily from skin. It has a faint fruit-like scent.
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 EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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 BenzoateChances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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