What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantBabassuamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingCamphor
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-4
Acetum
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Glycerin, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Camphor, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Gluconate, Polyquaternium-4, Acetum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Isoeugenol, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Isethionate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Polyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
Polyquaternium-10
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMagnesium Nitrate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingArginine
Masking2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningPoly(Linseed Oil)
Benzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium Isethionate, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Chloride, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Carbomer, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzoic Acid, Laureth-9, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Linalool, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Trideceth-12, Salicylic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Nitrate, Benzyl Alcohol, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Limonene, Arginine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Poly(Linseed Oil), Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, CI 14700, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Sorbic Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, CI 15510
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 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 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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