What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantLauramide DEA
SurfactantPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventTetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventSodium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentBletilla Striata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSilkworm Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantClimbazole
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Betaine
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Lauramide DEA, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Silkworm Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Climbazole, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-10, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventDimethiconol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingNiacin
SmoothingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMenthol
MaskingMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePEG-45m
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Piroctone Olamine, Salicylic Acid, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Niacin, Biotin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Milk Protein, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycol Stearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, PEG-45m, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium 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 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 MentholPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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 AcidChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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