What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSerine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPolyisobutene
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Urea, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Polyacrylate-13, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Serine, Allantoin, Bacillus Ferment, Histidine, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTriacetin
AntimicrobialSerine
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingHistidine
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Urea, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Canola Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Silica, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Triacetin, Serine, Parfum, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Histidine, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Bacillus Ferment, Potassium Sorbate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bacillus Ferment is created by fermenting Bacillus bacteria with yeast extract and carbohydrates. It acts as a humectant and, depending on the strain, can also provide gentle enzymatic exfoliation.
Depending on the strain and formulation, it may also act as a peptide, probiotic, or prebiotic. Certain strains of Bacillus Ferment help support the skin’s microbiome, soothe inflammation, and promote barrier repair and hydration.
It’s typically used at 0.5-5% concentration, either for mild exfoliation or to improve overall skin health and texture.
Some studies show that Bacillus species can inhibit certain plant fungi (such as Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum) used in agricultural biocontrol. However, these are filamentous molds, not the yeast (Malassezia furfur) responsible for fungal acne.
At this time, there are no studies showing that Bacillus Ferment inhibits Malassezia or that it has been tested on human skin or in cosmetic formulations. Because of this lack of cosmetic and dermatological research, we list Bacillus Ferment as not safe for fungal acne as a precaution. However, it may not trigger breakouts for everyone.
Learn more about Bacillus FermentThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitric 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHistidine is a semi-essential amino acid used by our bodies to create protein. It has humectant and skin conditioning properties.
Our bodies use histidine to create filaggrin - filaggrin is a structural protein that the skin uses in maintaining skin barrier.
One study found histidine and carnosine to be a dynamic duo for your skin:
Oral histidine has also been found to help with filaggrin-deficit skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.
Why is it considered a semi-essential amino acid? This is because adults are able to create it but children must get it from their diet.
Learn more about HistidinePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium 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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSerine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.
Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.
Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.
Learn more about SerineSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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 Water