What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
MaskingGlycerin, Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyglutamic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Panthenol, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Opuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPotassium 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 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 SulfonateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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