What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Panthenol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Lactic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Camphor
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Zinc PCA, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camphor, Benzophenone-4, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BetaineDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSalicylic 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 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 HydroxideZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCA
