What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Trehalose, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Hexylene Glycol, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Glucose, Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Powder
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Extract
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Powder, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Rosa Multiflora Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Lactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Rosemary Leaf Oil is a fragrance and helps give your product a scent. If you are sensitive to irritating fragrances, this one contains camphor. Camphor has been found to irritate skin.
This oil also contains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As an antioxidant, it may protect you skin against damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSalicylic 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 Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Water. 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