What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingUndecane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Silica, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Undecane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sarcosine, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Glycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCarnitine
CleansingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Carnitine, Decylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, PEG-150 Distearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholParfum 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 ParfumSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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. 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