What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Collagen
Moisturising
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glyceryl Oleate, Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Laureth-10
EmulsifyingAmmonium Sulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Ammonium Chloride
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Masking
Glyoxal
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMel Extract
MoisturisingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-10, Ammonium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Alcohol, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Glyoxal, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Maltodextrin, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Mel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oligopeptide-10
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateChances 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 HydroxideWater. 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
