What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Camphor
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Coco-Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Coconut Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Camphor, Menthol, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Sodium Isethionate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAroma
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract
Cleansing
Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Powder
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentP-Anisic Acid
MaskingMenthol
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Water, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Mel, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Aroma, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Powder, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, P-Anisic Acid, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Phytate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, CI 77288, Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCitric 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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholWater. 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
