What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Citric Acid, Isopentyldiol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Laureth-10
EmulsifyingAmmonium Sulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Ammonium Chloride
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Masking
Glyoxal
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mel Extract
MoisturisingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-10, Ammonium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Alcohol, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Glyoxal, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Maltodextrin, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Mel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oligopeptide-10
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinThis ingredient is also called spearmint oil. It contains carvone (41-79%), limonene (10-22%), and small amounts of other monoterpenes depending on where it's grown.
In cosmetics, this ingredient mostly acts as a fragrancing/masking ingredient and mild astringent.
Lab studies show carvone to have antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, but it is a recognized fragrance allergen. Carvone is a mild skin sensitizer while limonene is a well-known one.
In a 21-year retrospective from a Swedish patch test clinic, 3.5% of patients tested positive for sensitive towards carvone.
Learn more about Mentha Viridis Leaf OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 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
