What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCalcium Pantothenate
Potassium Laureth-4 Carboxylate
Polyquaternium-22
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCoconut Acid
CleansingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSodium Citrate
BufferingPhytic Acid
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Arginine, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Potassium Laureth-4 Carboxylate, Polyquaternium-22, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Sodium Gluconate, C12-13 Pareth-9, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Coconut Acid, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glyceryl Oleate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sodium Citrate, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Silica, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Glycol Distearate
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingShea Butter Cetyl Esters
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeSodium Phosphate
BufferingMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Sulfate
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Glycol Distearate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Oleate, Hexamethylindanopyran, PEG-90m, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Shea Butter Cetyl Esters, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Phosphate, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate
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 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 BetaineGlyceryl Oleate is the ester of glycerin and oleic acid. This ingredient is mainly an emollient and emulsifier.
Emollients soften and hydrate the skin by creating a thin film on top to trap in moisture. As an emulsifier, glyceryl oleate helps stabilize formulations by preventing ingredients such as oil and water from separating. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps helps thicken water-in-oil formulations, shower gels, and hair shampoos.
In some products, this ingredient may be used as a fragrance / perfuming ingredient. The scent of this ingredient is described to be "waxy".
Glyceryl oleate is created from oils rich in oleic acid, such as peanut oil and olive oil.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Glyceryl OleatePanthenol 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 PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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