What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-11
Silicone Quaternium-8
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingErythritol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf
AbrasiveTrideceth-10
CleansingSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-4
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantCalcium Pantothenate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-11, Silicone Quaternium-8, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isoceteth-20, Erythritol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Menthol, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf, Trideceth-10, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Niacinamide, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Acetic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Pyridoxine Hcl, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantLactobacillus/Salix Purpurea Bark Ferment Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMontmorillonite
AbsorbentMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Citric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Salix Purpurea Bark Ferment Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Gluconate, Lactobacillus, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Montmorillonite, Menthoxypropanediol, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-7, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Limonene
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinMentha Piperita Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the whole plant of the Peppermint plant.
It can be used to add a fresh scent to products.
Peppermint oil may cause skin sensitivity and redness due to its menthol content. Menthol also has a cooling effect (like your toothpaste).
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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