What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Water
TonicBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Water, Beta-Glucan, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMenthyl Lactate
MaskingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-39
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Sulfate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mipa, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Propanediol, Menthyl Lactate, Mandelic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycol Distearate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-39, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideGlycerin (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 ChlorideHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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