What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveAvena Sativa Kernel Meal
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycolic Acid
BufferingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Volcanic Ash, Avena Sativa Kernel Meal, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycolic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coconut Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingGlucose
HumectantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Betaine, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Bisabolol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Glucose, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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 moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural âglueâ that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatâs where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donât skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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