What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Copper PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Xylitol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Salicylate, Copper PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oligopeptide-10, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Algae Extract, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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
