What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingBetaine
Humectant
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicMelatonin
Antioxidant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mipa, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phytosterols, Inositol, Ceramide NP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Biotin, Melatonin, Sodium Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Olivate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingTrideceth-7 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-10
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Zinc Pyrithione
Antiseborrhoeic
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Trideceth-7 Carboxylic Acid, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Ceramide Ng, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Zinc Pyrithione, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate yet.
This ingredient is a cleansing agent, surfactant, and foam booster. It considered an alternative to traditional sulfates (Sulfosuccinate) and is allowed in "sulfate-free" products.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is mild and can be used in baby and bath options.
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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimonenePolyquaternium-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-10Potassium 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
