What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientCellulose Acetate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycolic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrated Silica, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Cellulose Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Salicylic Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Mandelic Acid, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Ceramide NP, Salicylic Acid, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural âglueâ that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatâs where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donât skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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, itâs 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.
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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
