What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveMethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventAcrylates Copolymer
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLauramide DEA
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Kaolin, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Propolis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Calamine, Allantoin, Bentonite, Xanthan Gum, Lauramide DEA, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Menthoxypropanediol, CI 77288, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Charcoal Powder, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
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.
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 preservatives
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 CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolChances 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum