What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningSuccinic Acid
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Almond Oil/Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Punicate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHypochlorous Acid
Antiseborrhoeic
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycolipids, Succinic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Beta-Glucan, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Allantoin, Almond Oil/Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Punicate, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Castoryl Maleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hypochlorous Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl Lactate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Betaine, Coconut Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
