What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid 2%
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantLactobionic Acid
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid 2%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cellulose Gum, Algin, Butylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Gluconolactone, Honey, Lactobionic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOryza Sativa
Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Cocamide Mea, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa, Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Hydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
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 BetaineLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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, itâs 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 AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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