What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sulfur 3%
AntiseborrhoeicWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-18
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveOligopeptide-10
AntimicrobialBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSulfur 3%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-18, Stearyl Alcohol, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oligopeptide-10, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingBentonite
AbsorbentSulfur 3.3%
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Quartz
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Bentonite, Sulfur 3.3%, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glutamic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Quartz, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum