What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Methylpropanediol
SolventCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Methionine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantAsparagine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingValine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamide Mea, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Leucine, Tryptophan, Lysine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Methionine, Histidine, Asparagine, Alanine, Proline, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, Tyrosine, Serine, Cystine, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
PerfumingThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientInositol
HumectantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Cysteine
AntioxidantAcetyl Methionine
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveBetaine
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLactic Acid
BufferingLactose
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Mipa, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Panthenol, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Inositol, Milk Protein, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Alcohol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Acetyl Cysteine, Acetyl Methionine, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Salicylic Acid, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Betaine, Biotin, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Menthol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Lactose, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Niacinamide, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Zinc Pyrithione, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Isethionate, Coconut Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Chloride, Arginine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycine Max Seed Extract comes from the Soybean. This bean is native to Asia.
Soybeans are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants may improve the signs of aging.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process caused by UVB induced skin inflammation.
Two powerful components found in the wild soybean include genistein and diadzein. These two isoflavones are potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Genistein in particular has been found to prevent redness caused by UV exposure.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Max Seed ExtractHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractWe don't have a description for Mentha Piperita Extract yet.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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 AcidWater. 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