What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAmorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
AbrasiveWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingPrunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
AstringentPrunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Cerasus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAlcohol
AntimicrobialEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Alcohol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineCocamidopropyl 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water