What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlyceryl Distearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingGlycereth-26
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin Protecting
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glyceryl Distearate, Parfum, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Carbomer, Decyl Glucoside, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride, Ozokerite, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, C11-15 Pareth-7, Glycerin, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Citric Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzophenone-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Sodium Cocoate, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, CI 17200, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium 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
