What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveMontmorillonite
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Menthyl Lactate, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Charcoal Powder, Montmorillonite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycine
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Limonene
PerfumingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSorbitol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Polyquaternium-10, Limonene, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Glycerin, Amyl Cinnamal, Sorbitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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