What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingHydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
ChelatingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingC13-15 Alkane
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethylaminopropylamine
Acetic Acid
Buffering3-Hexenol
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBenzyl Acetate
MaskingMethylbenzyl Acetate
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingCinnamal
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingP-Menthan-7-Ol
MaskingDimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingHeliotropine
Masking2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
MaskingCitronellyl Acetate
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingVanillin
MaskingDelta-Damascone
MaskingRose Ketone-4
PerfumingTrimethylbenzenepropanol
MaskingEthyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal
MaskingCyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingEthyl Vanillin
MaskingGamma-Decalactone
PerfumingIonone
AstringentMethyl Ionones
MaskingDimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate
PerfumingPhenylisohexanol
MaskingRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingDodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran
PerfumingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPhenethyl Phenylacetate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingCosmone
PerfumingMethylcyclopentadecenone
Masking5-Cyclohexadecenone
PerfumingWater, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Inulin, Sodium Levulinate, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyltaurate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Panthenol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dimethylaminopropylamine, Acetic Acid, 3-Hexenol, Linalool, Phenethyl Alcohol, Benzyl Acetate, Methylbenzyl Acetate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, P-Menthan-7-Ol, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Heliotropine, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Citronellyl Acetate, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Vanillin, Delta-Damascone, Rose Ketone-4, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Ethyl Vanillin, Gamma-Decalactone, Ionone, Methyl Ionones, Dimethyl Phenethyl Butyrate, Phenylisohexanol, Raspberry Ketone, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Dodecahydro-Tetramethylnaphthofuran, Isopropyl Myristate, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Phenylacetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cosmone, Methylcyclopentadecenone, 5-Cyclohexadecenone
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Linalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 ChlorideSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing surfactant. It's most commonly found in "sulfate-free" cleansers.
As a taurate, it belongs to a class of anionic surfactants prized for being efficient at cleansing without harshness, good performance in hard water, stability across a wide pH range, and easily biodegradable.
It is able to lift away oil and grime and make a nice lather without stripping your skin, so it's a good pick for sensitive skin.
Safety-wise, it has a good record. The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and concentrations go up to 11% in leave-on products or 13% in rinse-off products.
Despite being derived from coconut oil, this ingredient is fungal acne safe. It's a water-soluble surfactant with no fatty oils or esters left intact on skin for the Malassezia yeast to feed.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water