What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingClitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingActinidia Chinensis Seed
AbrasiveSalicylic Acid 0.01%
MaskingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Skin Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingWater, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract, Triethanolamine, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Seed, Salicylic Acid 0.01%, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLauryl Betaine
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Betaine, Coconut Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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