What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArachidic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicWater, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Palmitic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Oleic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingPolyquaternium-39
Polyquaternium-7
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-7, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Algin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tilia Cordata Flower 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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
