What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingTea-Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingLauramide Mea
SurfactantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Triethylene Glycol
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPPG-12-Buteth-16
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingEthyl Salicylate
PerfumingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantExtracts
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Tea-Laureth Sulfate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide Mea, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Triethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, BHT, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PPG-12-Buteth-16, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ethyl Salicylate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 16035, CI 42090, Extracts, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingAmmonium Chloride
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingLauryl Lactate
EmollientMethyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/Oleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Ammonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Lauryl Lactate, Methyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 AcidMethylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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 ParfumSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, cleansing agent, and foaming agent. You'll find it in a wide range of products from shampoos to face cleansers.
It:
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has assessed it in 1983, 2002, and 2005 and found it to be safe in formulations at low concentrations.
SLS is a well-documented skin irritant at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure. It's actually the gold standard positive control used in dermatological patch testing, meaning doctors use it because they know it will cause a reaction in people.
In one large study of 43,000 patiences tested with 0.25% SLS, about 22% showed some level of reactivity. It increases transepidermal water loss that disrupts your outermost layer of skin.
Face cleansers often pair this ingredient with mild co-surfactants like Cocamidopropyl Betaine to buffer its harshness.
Just so you know, SLS does not trigger true allergic contact dermatitis. This just means it can irritate your skin but doesn't cause your immune system to develop a lasting allergy to it.
Despite internet rumors, SLS is not considered a carcinogen by any major regulatory body.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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