What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingMagnesium Nitrate
Limonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Amodimethicone, Coco-Betaine, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Carbomer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Benzoic Acid, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Benzophenone-4, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Laureth-9, Linalool, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Trideceth-12, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol, Magnesium Nitrate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Sorbic Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycol Distearate
EmollientTamarindus Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-70
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-45m
HumectantC12-13 Alketh-23
CleansingC12-13 Alketh-3
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamide Mea, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyquaternium-70, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-45m, C12-13 Alketh-23, C12-13 Alketh-3, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearatePolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Salicylic 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 AcidSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWater. 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