What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Behenyl Pg-Trimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAmodimethicone
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Bis-Isobutyl PEG-14/Amodimethicone Copolymer
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantC12-14 Pareth-5
CleansingPEG-55 Stearate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Camellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sorbitol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Parfum, Behenyl Pg-Trimonium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Paraffin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Amodimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-14 Pareth-7, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Bis-Isobutyl PEG-14/Amodimethicone Copolymer, Laureth-4, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Laureth-9, C12-14 Pareth-12, Caramel, C12-14 Pareth-5, PEG-55 Stearate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Glutamic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Extract
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 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.
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 BenzoateSorbitol 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 SorbitolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
