What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Glycerin, Inulin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Oleamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Oleamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycol Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate
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 BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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
