What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Disodium EDTA
Menthol
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLinalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingGeraniol
Perfuming
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentLimonene
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitol
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin
AbsorbentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
Abrasive
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Caffeine, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Sodium Chloride, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Dipropylene Glycol, Linalool, Citric Acid, Climbazole, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Limonene, Glycerin, Malt Extract, Sorbitol, Zea Mays Starch, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sucrose, Hydrolyzed Extensin, CI 77289, Dextrin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sea Salt, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropyltrimoniumchloride Acrylamide/Dimethylacrylamide Copolymer
Camellia Seed Oil
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
PEG-2 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Sulfate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauric Acid
Cleansing
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Aroma
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propyltrimoniumchloride Acrylamide/Dimethylacrylamide Copolymer, Camellia Seed Oil, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Squalane, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Sorbitol, PEG-2 Laurate, Sodium Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Dimethiconol, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Aroma, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
