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 ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-8
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyquaternium-7
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sericin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Water, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, PEG-8, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Beeswax, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-90m, CI 77288, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, CI 77492, CI 77491, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sericin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Silica, BHT, Chamomilla Recutita 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 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 AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinLauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even breast milk.
In cosmetics, it is an:
Lab studies have found that lauric acid is surprisingly good at killing acne-causing bacteria. However, these tests were done on bacteria in a petri dish and not on real skin, so we can't say for certain it works the same in a formulation on a real face.
The comedogenic rating of 4 comes from the 1972 rabbit ear model using undiluted ingredients. Comedogenicity is highly individual and one comedogenic ingredient cannot predict how a formula will behave on skin.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe and research has confirmed Malassezia can use it as a food source.
Learn more about Lauric AcidMyristic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is naturally found in milk fat. Other sources include palm oil, coconut oil, and butter fat.
Myristic Acid is an emulsifer and cleanser. As an emulsifer, it stabilizes a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Myristic Acid helps clean your skin by acting as a surfactant. It tends to gather oil and dirt on your skin to be easily rinsed away.
One study from 2021 found Myristic Acid to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Myristic AcidPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSalicylic 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 AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
