What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Glycereth-26
HumectantLaureth-4
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 75120
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingIsoeugenol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Disodium EDTA, Glycereth-26, Laureth-4, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Methyl Gluceth-10, Propylene Glycol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Vegetable Oil, Geraniol, Citronellol, CI 75120, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Potassium Hydroxide, Isoeugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Isethionate
EmulsifyingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingAcrylates Crosspolymer-4
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Glycol Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Laurate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Lauric Acid, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, Trideceth-6, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Methyl Gluceth-10, Sodium Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool, CI 16035
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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolWe don't have a description for Methyl Gluceth-10 yet.
Parfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPeg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used to improve texture and stability of a product. It is sugar based and helps thicken a product.
Once applied, it also creates a thin film to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
This ingredient is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of oleic acid and methylglucose. The 120 represents an average of 120 moles of ethylene oxide.
There is limited research on this ingredient, although it is considered safe to use in skincare products.
Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose DioleatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.
This gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water