What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Parfum
Masking
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningAllantoin, BHT, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Parfum, Lauryl Glucoside, Limonene, Linalool, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tocopherol, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citric Acid
Buffering
Reviews
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 AcidPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate isn't fungal acne safe.
This ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).
As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.
Learn more about PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesChances 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 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 HydroxideSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
