What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide DEA
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Polyphosphate
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Erythorbate
Antioxidant
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide DEA, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Polyphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Erythorbate, CI 77288, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butyl Avocadate, Salicylic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol
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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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, itβs 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 AcidWater. 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
