What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Lauric Acid
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Myristic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauric Acid, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingZinc PCA
HumectantCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Panthenol, Carnitine, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidWater. 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