What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Formate
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, CI 75810
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Betaine
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantEryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Oil
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Aquifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTriticum Aestivum Seed Extract
PerfumingDna
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLipase
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCalcium Chloride
AstringentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Triticum Aestivum Seed Extract, Dna, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lipase, Protease, Dipropylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Madecassoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract
Reviews
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPanthenol 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water