What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingClitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Junos Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Actinidia Chinensis Seed
Abrasive
Salicylic Acid 0.01%
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Water, 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 ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide DEA
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-30 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Salicylic Acid, PEG-30 Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sulfur, Citric Acid
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
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 CopolymerCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
