What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Tapioca Starch
Glycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDiglycerin
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingPEG-100 Stearate
Propanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Salicylic Acid
MaskingZinc Lactate
Asiaticoside
AntioxidantAcacia Decurrens Flower Cera
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRhamnose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantGlucuronic Acid
BufferingWater, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Tapioca Starch, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Malic Acid, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Lactic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Jojoba Esters, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglycerin-3, Piroctone Olamine, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Salicylic Acid, Zinc Lactate, Asiaticoside, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rhamnose, Glucose, Glucuronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantIsostearyl Lactate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-37
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPeat Extract
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingZinc PCA
HumectantPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Isostearyl Lactate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polyquaternium-37, Alcohol Denat., Peat Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Potassium Phosphate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sarcosine, Hexylene Glycol, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Benzoic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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 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