What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Aspartate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Pentasodium Triphosphate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Pentasodium Triphosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Beta-Glucan, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingWater, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Panthenol, Serine, Allantoin, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Cocoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Mea yet.
This ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lauryl Hydroxysultaine yet.
Panthenol 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 hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is an organic salt with a naturally sweet odor. It is an alternative to traditional sulfates and is commonly found in "sulfate-free" products.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is used to increase the volume of foam, emulsify ingredients, and as a cleansing agent.
As a cleansing agent, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate helps reduce the surface tension of dirt, oil, and other pollutants so they can be rinsed away easily.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this ingredient to irritate the eyes and skin in concentrations of 0.18% and 0.7%.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfoacetateWater. 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