What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMenthol
MaskingMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Citratus Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventDisodium EDTA
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventClimbazole
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentLactic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Erythritol, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Methylpropanediol, Climbazole, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cyclodextrin, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Dna, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-150
HumectantPotassium Undecylenoyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Emulsion StabilisingEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningTussilago Farfara Leaf Extract
AstringentArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Undecylenamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLaureth-2
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, PEG-150, Potassium Undecylenoyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Tussilago Farfara Leaf Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Piroctone Olamine, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Disodium Undecylenamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate, Laureth-2, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 47005, CI 14700, CI 42090
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 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPiroctone Olamine targets Malassezia, the fungus responsible for dandruff, which is why you'll find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos.
It's also water-soluble, so it blends easily into these formulas.
Salicylic 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 BenzoateChances 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