What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingMenthol
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPentasodium Pentetate
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cysteine, Methionine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPentasodium Pentetate
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHistidine
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingTaurine
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingCystine
MaskingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Histidine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Tyrosine, Taurine, Ornithine, Arginine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Asparagine, Cystine, Mentha Viridis Extract, Serine, Valine, Methionine, Leucine, Lysine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
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 GlycolCamellia Japonica Flower Extract comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Tsubaki flowers possess antioxidant and soothing properties. This flower has shown to be effective at fighting pollution damage by protecting your skin's fibroblasts. Your skin's fibroblasts help create collagen and collagen is responsible for youthful, plump skin.
This flower also contains many antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. They may originate from sunlight, air pollution, or cigarette smoke. These free-radical molecules are unstable and are often looking for missing electrons. This instability causes free-radicals to damage our cells. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons.
Thus, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
Learn more about Camellia Japonica Flower ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is also known as grapefruit peel oil. It is mainly used as a fragrance/perfuming ingredient and is made up of about 99-92% limonene.
Though in vitro or food science has shown this oil to be antibacterial, possess antioxidant activity, and be anti-inflammatory, there's very little research testing it directly on human skin or in cosmetics.
Limonene is a known skin sensitizer. Because grapefruit peel oil can contain furanocoumarins, this ingredient can also cause phototoxicity. It is possible to created furanocoumarin-free versions that are not phototoxic; it is best to reach out to the brand if you have questions about this ingredient in your cosmetics.
Learn more about Citrus Paradisi Peel OilCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
This 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosideMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is also known as tea tree oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a complex lipophilic (fat-loving) oil that contains around 100 compounds with terpinen-4-ol being the most abundant (~40%).
Terpinen-4-ol is responsible for tea tree oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and makes it a well-researched option for acne.
Clinical studies support 5% tea tree oil as an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. A study with 124 patients compared 5% tea tree oil gel to 5% benzoyl peroxide and both reduced acne (though tea tree oil worked more slowly).
Besides acne, it is also seen in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments for it's antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic properties.
Safety-wise, the allergic potential of low concentrations on healthy skin is considered low. However, oxidized (old or improperly stored) tea tree oil is a stronger sensitizer.
Irritation can also occur if using the undiluted oil on skin; it's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted cosmetic formula. This is because regulations require tea tree oil in cosmetics to be stabilized to prevent degradation.
This ingredient has been deemed safe up to 2% in shampoo, 1% in cleansers, and 0.1% in face cream by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
There is some lab evidence that tea tree oil is antifungal against Malassezia, but it is a supportive option at best and not a replacement for proven antifungal treatments.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholMethionine is an essential amino acid. It is a conditioning agent and commonly found in both skin and hair products.
This amino acid is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.
Fun fact: Methionine can be found in meat, fish, and dairy. It cannot be naturally produce and requires dietary intake.
Learn more about MethionineWe don't have a description for Pentasodium Pentetate yet.
Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sage leaf extract is a culinary and medicinal herb with antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
This ingredient is made up of 75-90% ursolic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
Chances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis ingredient is a surfactant and foam producer.
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away 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