What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCroton Lechleri Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Bentonite, Propanediol, Glycerin, Parfum, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Anisate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveBetaine
HumectantPeat
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate
StabilisingBetula Alba Juice
AstringentLactic Acid
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-39
Parfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSalix Daphnoides Bud/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCistus Ladaniferus Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Angustifolium Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Betaine, Peat, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate, Betula Alba Juice, Lactic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-39, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Salix Daphnoides Bud/Leaf/Stem Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Oil, Helichrysum Angustifolium Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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 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