What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Erythritol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-73
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 42100
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Phenoxyethanol, Erythritol, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-13 Alketh-9, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Glycosyl Trehalose, Dipropylene Glycol, Quaternium-73, Caramel, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Lactobionic Acid, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, CI 19140, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 42100, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
