What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Hexylene Glycol, CI 17200, CI 19140, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxycitronellal, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Limonene, Benzoic Acid, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycolic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin ConditioningAnetholea Anisata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Seed Protein
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-113
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGalactoarabinan
Disteareth-75 Ipdi
Heptyl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phytic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Keratin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract, Sarcosine, Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Trehalose, Xylitol, Quaternium-95, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-113, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Galactoarabinan, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Heptyl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Ether, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Oleate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Maltodextrin, Phytic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Calcium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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
