What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Glycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Gluconic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Tetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventSodium Sulfate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Ceramide NP, Niacinamide, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Panthenol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Gluconic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citric Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Sodium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Sodium Citrate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 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 GlycerinMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSalicylic 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, itβs 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
