What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoco-Betaine
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTromethamine
BufferingTetradecene
EmollientPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHexadecene
SolventLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Water
MaskingHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningLactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Coco-Betaine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tromethamine, Tetradecene, Potassium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Hexadecene, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Glucoside, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitol, Polyquaternium-10, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Water, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Apium Graveolens Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Lactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract, Allantoin
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Oleic Acid
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicWater, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Palmitic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Oleic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 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 GlycerinLauryl Hydroxysultaine is a mild surfactant or cleansing ingredient that helps lift away dirt/oil, boost foam, and thicken the formula. It plays nicely with other surfactants and stays stable across a wide pH range.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
This ingredient is a preservative and inhibits the growth of fungi, certain bacteria, yeast, and mold.
It is the potassium salt of benzoic acid.
Potassium benzoate works best in products with a low pH level (below 4.5).
Learn more about Potassium BenzoatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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