What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingSucrose
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Babassuamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGelatin
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingBHT
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Yucca Vera Leaf/Root Extract
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Arachidonate
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Fruit Extract
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentBrassica Napus Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentTropolone
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Seed Oil
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Potassium Cocoate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Tromethamine, Sucrose, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Butylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Gelatin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Panthenol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Chlorphenesin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, BHT, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Cellulose Gum, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Yucca Vera Leaf/Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Panax Ginseng Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Thiamine Hcl, Retinyl Palmitate, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Biotin, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Brassica Napus Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Menadione, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Tropolone, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Ceramide NP, Camellia Seed Oil, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Xanthan Gum, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Serine, Proline, Alanine, Sodium Phosphate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
AstringentWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Panthenol, Coconut Alcohol, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
Reviews
Alternatives
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.
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 preservatives
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCitric 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances 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 ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
