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 ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingInositol
Humectant
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
PCA
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phytantriol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Inositol, Coconut Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Arginine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Isethionate, Glycerin, Aspartic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, PCA, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Phytantriol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine, Alanine, Urea, Serine, Valine, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium Phosphate, Limonene, Linalool, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Biotin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCitric 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 GlycerinInositol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in the human body. Our bodies use this ingredient in the process of growing new cells.
Studies show inositol to be a key component for keratinocyte growth.
Keratinocytes make up the majority of the outermost layer of skin. These cells protect our skin from UV exposure, infection, and help keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient is also considered a humectant. Humectants help hydrate the skin by drawing moisture to it.
Learn more about InositolLimonene 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 LinaloolPolyquaternium-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
