What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Andrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Smilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Acorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Methylpropanediol
SolventClimbazole
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mipa, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Caffeine, Glycerin, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propylene Glycol, Biotin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Polysorbate 80, Methylpropanediol, Climbazole, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Trihydroxystearin, Polyquaternium-10, Caffeine, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Dextrin, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Biotin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCaffeine 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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinLauryl Betaine is a cleansing ingredient. You'll most likely see it in face washes, body washes, and shampoos. It's a type of surfactant that helps water mix with oil so dirt, sweat, and sunscreen can rinse off easily.
Chemically, lauryl betaine is an amphoteric surfactant so it carries both a positive and negative charge. This helps it create a creamy foam while being less harsh than stronger detergent-type cleansers.
According to CIR, this ingredient is generally considered safe when used in cosmetics. However, like all surfactants, it can be irritating when used in high amounts of in formulas that aren't well balanced.
Learn more about Lauryl BetainePolyquaternium-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 cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateWater. 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
