What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycol Distearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Zinc Pyrithione 1%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Zinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialPPG-9
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Zinc Pyrithione 1%, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Parfum, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Zinc Sulfate, PPG-9, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetainePhenoxyethanol 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
