What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Lactose
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
Emollient
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantQuaternium-73
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPropanediol
Solvent
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Rutin
Antioxidant
Hydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactose, Cellulose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Salicylic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Jojoba Esters, CI 77288, Quaternium-73, CI 19140, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 42090, Panthenol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Madecassoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiaticoside, Ceramide NP, Rutin, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Zinc PCA, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Potassium Laureth Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientSekken Soji
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-3 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emollient
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Glycerin
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Histidine
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Asparagine
MaskingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Potassium Laureth Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Benzoate, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Sekken Soji, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-3 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycol Stearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Histidine, Serine, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Threonine, Asparagine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Bisabolol, Pentylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Prunus Yedoensis 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.
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 GlycolCeramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide NP
Ceramide EOP
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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 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 HydroxideSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth 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 Water
