What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamide DEA
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Gluconic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
Astringent
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Chloride
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Gluconic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Potassium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Chlorphenesin, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, CI 19140, Decylene Glycol, CI 16035, 1,2-Hexanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Cocamidopropyl 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 EDTALactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
