What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingOsmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingQuartz
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
Cleansing
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCapric Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Octenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sulfur, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Azelaic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Quartz, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglycerin-6, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Guaiazulene, Magnolol, Honokiol, Hydrolyzed Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Lauric Acid, Coconut Acid, Myristic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Capric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Cocamide Mipa, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octenidine Hcl, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Isethionate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Cetyl Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Sulfur 3%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-18
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Honey Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSulfur 3%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-18, Stearyl Alcohol, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oligopeptide-10, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
