What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCapryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-39
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-39, Sodium Chloride, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Coconut Acid
EmollientHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
MaskingMyristic Acid
CleansingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCanarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
AstringentGuaiacum Officinale Wood Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLinolenic Acid
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, C12-13 Pareth-3, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Myristic Acid, Trideceth-12, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Linoleic Acid, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Guaiacum Officinale Wood Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Disodium EDTA, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Linolenic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Isethionate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilDisodium 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolChances 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water