What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium 2-Sulfolaurate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Glycerin, Cetyl Betaine, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingHydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
ChelatingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethylaminopropylamine
Acetic Acid
Buffering3-Hexenol
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBenzyl Acetate
Masking
Methylbenzyl Acetate
Masking
Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
P-Menthan-7-Ol
Masking
Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
Perfuming
Heliotropine
Masking
2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
Masking
Citronellyl Acetate
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Delta-Damascone
Masking
Rose Ketone-4
Perfuming
Trimethylbenzenepropanol
Masking
Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal
Masking
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingGamma-Decalactone
Perfuming
Ionone
Astringent
Methyl Ionones
MaskingDimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate
Perfuming
Phenylisohexanol
MaskingRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Dodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran
Perfuming
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Phenethyl Phenylacetate
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cosmone
PerfumingMethylcyclopentadecenone
Masking5-Cyclohexadecenone
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin, Sodium Levulinate, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyltaurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Panthenol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dimethylaminopropylamine, Acetic Acid, 3-Hexenol, Linalool, Phenethyl Alcohol, Benzyl Acetate, Methylbenzyl Acetate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, P-Menthan-7-Ol, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Heliotropine, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Citronellyl Acetate, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Vanillin, Delta-Damascone, Rose Ketone-4, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Ethyl Vanillin, Gamma-Decalactone, Ionone, Methyl Ionones, Dimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate, Phenylisohexanol, Raspberry Ketone, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Dodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran, Isopropyl Myristate, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Phenylacetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cosmone, Methylcyclopentadecenone, 5-Cyclohexadecenone
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
