What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialStyrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
PerfumingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPopulus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Bromelain, Papain, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Bentonite, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
MaskingSea Water
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientXylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sea Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Anhydroxylitol, Glyceryl Oleate, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid