What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Surfactant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Sulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Isopropanolamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Pinus Palustris Oil
Masking
Echinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Codium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Laureth-23, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Isopropanolamine, Polyquaternium-7, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Pinus Palustris Oil, Echinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate, Arginine, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Lactate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Plankton Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Codium Fragile Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sea Water, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSorbitol
Humectant
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Maltitol
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingClimbazole
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Chloride
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Caffeine, Maltitol, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Climbazole, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Dextrin, Madecassoside, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Potassium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateChances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
