What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Menthol
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Pentasodium Pentetate
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Histidine
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Tryptophan
MaskingThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingTaurine
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Asparagine
MaskingCystine
MaskingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Histidine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Tyrosine, Taurine, Ornithine, Arginine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Asparagine, Cystine, Mentha Viridis Extract, Serine, Valine, Methionine, Leucine, Lysine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vinegar
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Olea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLuffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vinegar, Decyl Glucoside, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Allantoin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Cocamide Mea, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Citric Acid, Parfum
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
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPolyquaternium-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-10Chances 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
