What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Phytic Acid
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caffeine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Trideceth-9, Limonene, Linalool, CI 40800, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingMalachite Extract
Antioxidant
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Gluconic Acid
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialPimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Melo Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Malachite Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Gluconic Acid, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCitric 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 is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 ChlorideThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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
