What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Lecithin
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCitronellol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrochloric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Linalool
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Niacin
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Titanium Dioxide, Lecithin, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alcohol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Azelaic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Citronellol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Laureth-7, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mica, Niacin, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Potassium Sorbate, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate, Silybum Marianum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Tranexamic Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiutan Gum
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Carbomer, Mannitol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Diutan Gum, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
