What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bentonite
Absorbent
Pumice
Abrasive
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sucrose
Humectant
Sodium Coco-Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Theanine
EmollientSorbitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingPapain
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Methionine
Skin Conditioning
Theanine
EmollientProline
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coconut Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Water, Sodium Isethionate, Papain, Zinc Oxide, Lysine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Proline, Betaine, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCarica Papaya Fruit Extract comes from the papaya fruit. Papayas were first domesticated in Mexico and Central America.
This fruit extract contains papain and chymopapain, two types of enzymes. These enzyme have exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. One study shows papain may help reduce scarring.
Papaya is also a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your skin against damage from free-radical molecules. This may help protect against signs of aging. One antioxidant present in papayas is lycopene.
Papaya also contains Vitamin A, also known as retinol.
While papaya is used as an ingredient to help lighten skin, research is limited on this.
The seeds of papaya have been found to have anti-fungal activity.
Learn more about Carica Papaya Fruit ExtractCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumCitric 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 AcidLysine HCl is an alpha amino acid salt.
Our skin uses amino acids as a precursor for building protein, and therefore keratins, collagen and elastin.
Papain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from unripe papaya fruit. It is a gentle exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells from your outermost layer of skin.
Basically, papain works by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface. This also promotes cell turnover and smooths texture.
Unlike other exfoliants, papain can work without causing significant irritation.
Beyond exfoliation, its proteolytic action also helps soothe irritated skin and supports the healing of minor wounds.
A 2024 in vivo/in vitro study confirmed its potential to suppress skin inflammation and improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic dermatitis models.
Just one thing worth noting: there are reports of allergic responses in individuals with a papaya or latex sensitivity. Be sure to patch test if you're in this camp.
Learn more about PapainSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTheanine is an amino acid found in plants and fungal species. It helps hydrate the skin as an emollient and humectant.
Both emollients and humectants help hydrate the skin. Emollients prevent moisture from escaping by creating a thin film on top of the skin. Humectants draw water from the air to your skin.
Fun fact: Theanine gives green tea its special umami flavor.
Learn more about TheanineZea Mays Starch is starch made from corn. You might know this as cornstarch . It is used to thicken a product. It can replace talc as an absorbent.
The pH of cornstarch is 5.92.
Cornstarch is a common food ingredient used to thicken soups or to make corn syrup.
Learn more about Zea Mays StarchWe don't have a description for Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder yet.
