What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauryl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Salicylic Acid
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCalamine
AbsorbentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Glycyrrhizinate
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauryl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Salicylic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Mentha Piperita Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Calamine, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Potassium Glycyrrhizinate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Coceth Sulfate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCopper PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 74260
Cosmetic ColorantBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Chlorphenesin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Butyl Avocadate, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 74260, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
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, 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EDTAGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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