What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Koraiensis Seed Oil
Perfuming
Panax Ginseng Root Water
Masking
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Bupleurum Chinense Root Extract
AstringentPrunus Mume Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Squalane
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Panthenol, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Bupleurum Chinense Root Extract, Prunus Mume Seed Extract, Natto Gum, Squalane, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Lilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Lysine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Phenylalanine
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingGlucose
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Glucose Oxidase
StabilisingLactoperoxidase
StabilisingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-7
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Tyrosine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Histidine, Glycine, Lysine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Leucine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Caffeine, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Glucose, Sodium Lactate, Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Potassium Phosphate, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 19140, CI 17200
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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 AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
