What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
Parfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Citric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantTetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract
AntioxidantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sorbitol, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCocamide Methyl Mea
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantZea Mays Silk Extract
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-75
Skin ConditioningAbelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Petroselinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningOat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSweet Almond Amino Acids
HumectantSesame Amino Acids
HumectantSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingPolyquaternium-22
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Tetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventCoconut Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Parfum, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Zea Mays Silk Extract, Hexapeptide-75, Abelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Soy Amino Acids, Wheat Amino Acids, Rice Amino Acids, Oat Amino Acids, Sweet Almond Amino Acids, Sesame Amino Acids, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Isethionate, Polyquaternium-22, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Coconut Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Cocamide Methyl Mea yet.
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 BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hexadecene yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Barley Protein yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Oat Protein yet.
Hydrolyzed pea protein has skin conditioning and emollient properties. It is created by cutting protein fragments (peptides) into smaller pieces.
According to a manufacturer, this size of this ingredient makes it easy to be absorbed into skin where they strengthen the skin barrier, improve moisture retention, and improve signs of irritation.
One study that included pea proteins in a topical product reported improved atopic dermatitis symptom scores while a patent containing this ingredient suggests this ingredient to support hydration-related pathways in the skin.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Pea ProteinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is a vegan protein made to mimic hydrolyzed collagen. It is created from soy, or glycine soja.
This ingredient is a humectant, meaning it helps hydrate the skin by binding to water. According to a manufacturer, it is also a great hair conditioner.
Read more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein yet.
This ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Limonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateChances 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 ChlorideWe don't have a description for Tetradecene yet.
Water. 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