What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Yeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentSaponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Limonene, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycereth-26, C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Superoxide Dismutase, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Xylitol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTapioca Starch
Mucor Miehei Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCitronellol
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-7
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgin
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Cellulose, Propanediol, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Xylitol, Kaolin, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, CI 77891, Tapioca Starch, Mucor Miehei Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Limonene, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citronellol, Polyquaternium-7, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 77492, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Geraniol, Linalool, Silica, CI 77007, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Algin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide
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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
