What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingPeat Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Poloxamer 184, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Peat Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Methylpropanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
C9-12 Alkane
SolventMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C13-15 Alkane, Propylene Glycol, Undecane, Isopropyl Myristate, Tridecane, C9-12 Alkane, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, CI 61565
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCentaurea Cyanus Flower extract comes from the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. The cornflower is native to Europe.
Cornflowers contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains high amounts of anxiotidants such as Vitamin C. They also contain flavonoids and anthocyanins.
Folk medicine in European cultures used cornflowers to help treat eye inflammation.
Fun fact: Cornflowers were used to determine if love was returned. Young men would wear cornflowers and if the color faded quickly, it meant the love was not reciprocated.
Learn more about Centaurea Cyanus Flower ExtractCitric 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 AcidPropylene 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 GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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
