What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Sorbitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Zinc Ricinoleate
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChloramine T
AntimicrobialSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Cocamide Mipa, Niacinamide, C12-13 Alketh-9, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Kojic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Chloramine T, Sodium Bicarbonate, CI 19140, Ascorbic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract 5.1%
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingLauramide DEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlutathione
Niacinamide
SmoothingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Centella Asiatica Extract 5.1%, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamide Mea, Lauramide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glutathione, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Beta-Glucan, Dipropylene Glycol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Squalane, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Chloride
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 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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