What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingMonosodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Caffeine, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Monosodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaureth-2
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMonosodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Salicylic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Laureth-2, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Carbomer, Monosodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15510, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric 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 Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
We don't have a description for Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate yet.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWe don't have a description for Monosodium Citrate yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.
Sodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
