What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningMel Extract
MoisturisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-30 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Trehalose, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Mel Extract, Panthenol, Sulfur, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hcl, Allantoin, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, PEG-30 Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Sulfur 3%
AntiseborrhoeicWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-18
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveOligopeptide-10
AntimicrobialBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSulfur 3%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-18, Stearyl Alcohol, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oligopeptide-10, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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.
Sulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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