What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Taurine Laurate
CleansingCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentLauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-7
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-50 Shea Butter
Emulsifying
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Taurine Laurate, Corn Starch Modified, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-50 Shea Butter, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Tea-Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingOleth-10
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauramide Mipa
SurfactantLauramide Mea
SurfactantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-7
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
PPG-12-Buteth-16
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Tea-Lauryl Sulfate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Oleth-10, Parfum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide Mipa, Lauramide Mea, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triethanolamine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-7, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, BHT, PPG-12-Buteth-16, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Limonene, CI 60730
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateSodium 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
