What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate
EmulsifyingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Malic Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Phytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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.
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
