What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Laureth-23
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfate
Trehalose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-45m
HumectantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethiconol, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Carbomer, Gluconolactone, Cocamide Mea, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Laureth-23, Citric Acid, PPG-9, Sodium Sulfate, Trehalose, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-45m, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Silica, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyurethane-39
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-45m
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Nitrate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveBenzoic Acid
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHoney
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamal
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lactic Acid, Behentrimonium Chloride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyurethane-39, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45m, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Potassium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Benzoic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, BHT, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Honey, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamal, Eugenol, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
This ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for PEG-45m yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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