What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingWater, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 80
Water
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientSodium Trideceth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingParfum
MaskingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Petrolatum, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Parfum, Trideceth-3, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Citrate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Oleate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 17200
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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